Politics Merz: Germany will always stand by Israel's side
At the start of his first visit to Israel as Federal Chancellor, Friedrich Merz reaffirmed Germany's special responsibility for the Jewish state's right to exist.
07.12.2025, 05:07
SDA
"We will always stand by the side of this country," he said at a meeting with Israeli President Izchak Herzog in Jerusalem. "I am aware of the obligation that every Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany has in this country."
It remains a miracle for him personally that the friendship between Germany and Israel could be built up and deepened to this day after the crimes of the Holocaust. German solidarity with Israel is now particularly important "after the terrible massacre" by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Chancellor also addresses "dilemmas" in relations
However, Merz also emphasized that he was coming to Israel at a time that "could hardly be more complicated". The actions of the Israeli army in the Gaza war had presented Germany with "a number of dilemmas". Germany had responded to these, he said, apparently also with regard to the temporary restriction on arms exports to Israel, which has since been lifted.
However, the Chancellor emphasized that "we still have no fundamental differences." Israel had the right to defend itself, it was Hamas that had started the war. If it laid down its weapons, the war would be over. "Then there will be a future for the region, there will also be a future for Gaza."
He reaffirmed the goal of a two-state solution in the Middle East. This means that Israel and an independent Palestinian state exist peacefully side by side.
Herzog speaks of a "new horizon" for people in the region
Israeli President Herzog expressed the hope that US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan would open up a new horizon for the people of Gaza and Israel, as well as for the neighboring Arab states. Germany could play an important role in this.
Commenting on the recent deployment of the Arrow 3 missile defense system in Germany, Herzog said: "The fact that Germany is being defended in Europe with an Israeli product is unique and very moving and important."
German-Israeli friendship "a great treasure"
Merz wrote in the guest book at the President's Office in Jerusalem: "The friendship between Germany and Israel is a great treasure." Eight decades after the Shoah, it remains "our responsibility to strengthen the bond between our countries from generation to generation". Merz went on to write: "Out of deep conviction, I am prepared to play my part in this responsibility together with you." He said he was "deeply grateful" for the close ties with President Herzog.
Merz warns against annexations in the West Bank
Prior to his visit to Israel, Merz had traveled to Jordan and urged progress in the Middle East peace process. From there, he also addressed words of warning to Israel. The situation in the West Bank must not be lost sight of, he said. "We must keep the path to Palestinian statehood open. That is why there must be no annexation steps in the West Bank." Ultra-right-wing members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government have long been campaigning for the annexation of the West Bank. The Palestinians claim the territory as part of a future independent state.
Meeting with Netanyahu and freed Hamas hostages
On Sunday, Merz will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Beforehand, he will visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and commemorate the six million Jews murdered during the Nazi dictatorship - an agenda item that is part of every inaugural visit by a German chancellor to Israel. He will also meet with released Hamas hostages and surviving relatives of hostages who were killed or perished in captivity.
Arms cooperation likely to be a topic
In addition to the Middle East peace process, the recently turbulent German-Israeli relations are also likely to play a major role in the talks with Netanyahu in Jerusalem. The partial embargo on German arms exports has recently put a heavy strain on German-Israeli relations. On 8 August, Merz ordered that no more exports of armaments to Israel that could be used in the Gaza war would be approved for the time being.
Israel is now once again hoping for increased arms deliveries from Germany - including gearboxes for its Merkava tanks. On the other hand, Germany benefits from Israeli armaments such as Arrow 3.
Netanyahu and the international arrest warrant
Perhaps the most difficult question for Merz will be whether Netanyahu would be welcome in Germany despite an international arrest warrant. Shortly after taking office, the Chancellor had declared his willingness in principle to allow him to visit. "In principle, an Israeli prime minister must be able to travel to Germany," he said in mid-May. "He is a democratically elected prime minister of the only democracy in the entire region. This prime minister must be able to travel to Germany as a matter of principle. We will inform you in good time how we will make this possible, should it be planned."
