PARIS, April 11: Germany has quite unexpectedly decided to unilaterally cease the sale and delivery of arms to Israel, the country that until now had been German arms industry’s better clients in the Middle East.

It is a decision that is also expected to mark an important turning point not only in Germany’s relations with Israel, but also in those that have existed until now between Israel and the European Union.

Given the historical relationship between Germany and Israel, especially since the end of World War II, Berlin had until now been one of the staunchest advocates of Israel within the European Union, refusing to openly criticize Israeli foreign policy.

The surprise German decision was revealed earlier this week to the French authorities during the Franco-German summit held at Leipzig. The meeting was also used by Fischer to propose a seven- point peace plan for the Middle East which is expected to be adopted next Monday during the European Union summit to be held in Madrid.

Fischer is known to have been one of the principal forces behind the decision to embargo all deliveries and future sales of arms to Israel.

The decision could seriously affect Israeli’s defence stance in the medium term, say French strategists.

Indeed, what sparked the surprise decision by Berlin was Prime Minister Sharon’s decision to engage in a “war of extermination” in the occupied territories.

Moreover, neither Chancellor Schroeder nor his ministers have evidently appreciated, say French diplomatic sources, the treatment accorded by Israel to the United States.

Quite importantly, the German decision also involves the sale of spare parts for existing armaments, and this is one area in which the embargo could have an important effect on Israeli defence preparedness.

Although sales records for last year are not yet available, it is on record that German manufacturers exported more than 170 million dollars worth of arms and spare parts to Israel during the year 2000.