GERMANY – Germany’s federal statistical authority Destatis on Tuesday announced that the German economy growth for the third quarter was zero.

“Weak exports had a dampening effect on economic activity in the 3rd quarter,” Ruth Brand, president of Destatis, said.

The country’s economy contracted by 0.3% in the second quarter of the year.

Overall, final consumption expenditure stagnated in the third quarter of 2025, with diverging trends recorded in household and government final consumption.

Household consumption expenditure declined for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2023, partly because households spent less on food and beverage services and accommodation services.

By contrast, government final consumption expenditure increased again, rising 0.8% from the previous quarter.

On a yearly basis, the German economy expanded by 0.3% in the third quarter.

Majority of Germans Reject Military Support for Israel

According to a new survey released on Tuesday, majority of Germans reject military support for Israel.

The representative survey commissioned by Korber Stiftung found that 82% of Germans rejected their country’s military support to Israel for its brutal war in Gaza. Only 15% expressed support.

Nearly three-quarters (73%) said the German government should exert stronger diplomatic pressure on Israel.

The survey also revealed a fundamental shift in how Germans view their historical obligations, with 60% rejecting the notion that Germany bears special responsibility for Israel due to its history and the Holocaust. Just 38% supported this traditional stance.

The Forsa polling institute conducted the representative survey between Sept. 15 and 26, interviewing more than 1,500 Germans. It was the latest in a series of polls in recent months revealing a widening gap between the government’s position and German public opinion on the Middle East conflict.

Germany has been one of the biggest arms suppliers for Israel in recent years. From Oct. 7, 2023, to June 5, 2025, Germany authorized arms sales to Israel totaling more than €492 million ($567 million).

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a strong supporter of Israel, ordered restrictions on arms exports to Israel in August amid growing public pressure. The restrictions halted approval of new export licenses for weapons that could be used in the Gaza war.  However, these restrictions were lifted this week.

According to the German government, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has remained in place since Oct. 10 and has stabilized in recent weeks. The government also pointed to efforts toward sustainable peace and increased humanitarian aid in Gaza.