Open letter by 200 stars calls to end German arms exports to Israel

More than 200 actors, musicians and media personalities have signed an open letter urging German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to halt arms deliveries to Israel and impose further sanctions over the military's actions in Gaza.

"We too condemn the horrific crimes committed by Hamas in the strongest possible terms. But no crime justifies collectively punishing millions of innocent people in the most brutal manner," the letter states.

Actors Daniel Brühl and Heike Makatsch, and musicians Shirin David and Zartmann are among the famous co-signers of the letter, which was organized by the campaign group Avaaz.

The letter emphasizes the suffering of children in the blockaded Palestinian territory, saying: "More than 17,000 have already been killed. Hundreds of thousands are injured, traumatized, displaced and starving."

The celebrities acknowledge that Merz has stepped up his criticism of the Israeli government in recent days, but urge the conservative leader to take further steps, including stopping all German arms exports to Israel, supporting the suspension of the European Union's Association Agreement with Israel and demanding an immediate ceasefire and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.

"These steps are deeply in line with European values and would make it unmistakably clear to the Israeli government that even its closest allies can no longer accept the suffering, and that words are not enough," the letter reads.

Merz has faced pressure to respond to the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, as international organizations warn that Israel's ongoing war is pushing the territory's population to the brink of famine.