German Chemical Giant Bayer Linked to Chemical Weapons Use by Israeli Forces in Lebanon and Syria, Report Claims

Human rights organization Medico International and the German network “Coordination gegen Bayer-Gefahren” (Coordination against Bayer Dangers, CBG) have alleged that the glyphosate and white phosphorus used by Israeli military forces in Lebanon and Syria were manufactured in Germany.

In early February, international media outlets reported allegations that Israeli forces had deployed glyphosate, an environmental toxin, in southern Lebanon and occupied Syrian territories. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture, glyphosate concentrations in some regional samples exceeded normal levels by 20 to 30 times. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the incident as “environmental and health crimes.”

The issue has particular significance for Germany, as the U.S.-based glyphosate producer Monsanto was acquired by German chemical and pharmaceutical conglomerate Bayer in 2018. Despite typical media reluctance to address alleged Israeli war crimes, the matter gained traction in German public discourse and even reached the German Bundestag’s agenda.

Public outcry, however, remained limited. After initial critical responses, the controversy quickly receded, with little indication that broader German audiences recognize the scope of Israel’s alleged use of German-supplied weaponry and chemical agents. Recent developments, however, may reignite attention.

Last Thursday, Medico International released a report titled “Cartographies of Destruction: Israel’s War Against Lebanon,” co-authored with the Lebanese organization Public Works. The document details alleged war crimes and confirms repeated Israeli use of white phosphorus in Lebanon. Jan Pehrke of CBG stated: “There is strong evidence that the phosphorus used in the Middle East conflict originates from Bayer’s glyphosate production facility in Soda Springs, United States.”

While Israel’s prior use of white phosphorus in Gaza and Lebanon is well-documented, the glyphosate claim is newer. Medico International’s Middle East officer, Riad Othman, noted that the carcinogenic herbicide was previously tested by the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip in 2014.

During its April 2026 shareholders’ meeting, Bayer’s executive board denied directly supplying glyphosate to Israeli or U.S. military entities but did not address potential white phosphorus shipments. This follows a U.S. decision by President Donald Trump to designate elemental phosphorus—used in both substances—as critical to national security, announced two weeks after glyphosate use reports and amid escalations including a U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran involving white phosphorus allegations.

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