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German Peace Groups Resist Defense Manufacturing Plans at Volkswagen
(MENAFN) German peace organizations are preparing to expand civil society opposition to plans for defense manufacturing at Volkswagen’s Osnabrueck facility, where production is expected to involve Israeli defense company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
Marie Dominique Guyard, a spokeswoman for the Osnabruck Peace Initiative, said the group intends to use the issue to encourage broader public opposition to arms manufacturing in the city.
“We see an opportunity to channel resistance into civil society against arms production in the city. Our project and main focus is to mobilize civil society for it,” Guyard said.
She said the initiative also plans to increase pressure on political parties and municipal authorities while encouraging wider political debate over the proposed defense-related activities.
“We want to put more pressure on the political parties and city officials. Our strategy is to initiate a political discussion on the topic of arms production in the city,” she added.
The Osnabruck Peace Initiative has played a prominent role in demonstrations in recent months, calling on Volkswagen to withdraw from plans to transform the facility for defense production.
Germany's opposition Left Party has also expressed support for the group's position. The party has described Volkswagen's planned partnership with Rafael, which is owned by the Israeli state, as “unacceptable,” referring to the Israeli government's actions in Gaza.
At the same time, Rafael has continued expanding its presence across Europe as governments increase defense budgets and procurement programs.
Under the proposed arrangement, Volkswagen would sell the Osnabrueck facility to private equity company Aurelius and the state of Lower Saxony. The site would subsequently be transformed into a hub focused on defense manufacturing.
Marie Dominique Guyard, a spokeswoman for the Osnabruck Peace Initiative, said the group intends to use the issue to encourage broader public opposition to arms manufacturing in the city.
“We see an opportunity to channel resistance into civil society against arms production in the city. Our project and main focus is to mobilize civil society for it,” Guyard said.
She said the initiative also plans to increase pressure on political parties and municipal authorities while encouraging wider political debate over the proposed defense-related activities.
“We want to put more pressure on the political parties and city officials. Our strategy is to initiate a political discussion on the topic of arms production in the city,” she added.
The Osnabruck Peace Initiative has played a prominent role in demonstrations in recent months, calling on Volkswagen to withdraw from plans to transform the facility for defense production.
Germany's opposition Left Party has also expressed support for the group's position. The party has described Volkswagen's planned partnership with Rafael, which is owned by the Israeli state, as “unacceptable,” referring to the Israeli government's actions in Gaza.
At the same time, Rafael has continued expanding its presence across Europe as governments increase defense budgets and procurement programs.
Under the proposed arrangement, Volkswagen would sell the Osnabrueck facility to private equity company Aurelius and the state of Lower Saxony. The site would subsequently be transformed into a hub focused on defense manufacturing.
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