The complaints, filed since last week, accuse Merz of complicity in war crimes by allowing arms exports to Israel.

Left-wing leader Selina Pfister formally accused him of genocide in the Palestinian enclave.

Germany, as a signatory to the Geneva Conventions, has an obligation to prevent complicity in violations, jurist Klaus Faber of the Free University of Berlin explained.

Pfister, regional leader of the Left Party, argued that Berlin is violating its commitments by failing to impose sanctions or halt the flow of arms.

The court documents cite ethnic cleansing and a lack of protection for civilians.

Meanwhile, the Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that most of the complaints follow a similar pattern. However, experts doubt they will prosper, as they would require demonstrating direct intent by the German government.

Meanwhile, the German governing coalition faces divisions. The Greens are demanding a review of arms sales, but the liberal partners insist on maintaining support for Tel Aviv. Human rights organizations document civilian casualties in Gaza daily.

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