Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany and leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has publicly criticized Israel‘s military operations in Gaza, raising significant concerns regarding the potential violation of international law. His comments, made as tensions between Israel and Palestine continue to rise dangerously, have called into question Germany’s infamous, unquestioning support for Israel.
On a trip to Turku, Finland earlier this month, Merz put his foot down. He condemned the disproportionate actions taken by the Israel Defense Forces. He stated that he “no longer sees any logic” in Israel’s expanded military operations in Gaza, a sentiment that suggests a shift in the German government’s traditional stance on Israel. His comments seem to hint at a greater willingness to take Israel’s military strategy to task.
Merz, pictured above, reiterated his resolve to counter any movement away from the two-state solution in talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He aims to engage in conversations to better understand Israel’s direction and intentions before finalizing his own position on the matter. Merz’s approach indicates he is committed to having a productive dialogue. Moreover, he has sought out “ways and means” for Netanyahu to visit Germany despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for him.
“I am not abandoning our historical responsibility,” Merz remarked, reinforcing that Israel’s security is integral to Germany’s national interest. He added, “This means that, for me as German chancellor, Israel’s security is never negotiable.” The difficulty of navigating support for Israel is evident in his statements today. Simultaneously, he empathizes with the humanitarian disaster now happening in Gaza.
Peter Lintl, an analyst for the German Institute of International and Security Affairs, underscored Merz’s remarks. He stressed that these statements reflect an important change in the tone and positioning of the German government. Lintl remarked, “The conclusion that most of the countries in the world came to is that it’s a horrible war where the aim is not clear anymore.” This change raises legitimate questions as to the timing of Merz’s new-found, anti-Israel zealotry. Until today, he has never wavered in his support for Israel’s right to defend itself.
Merz’s critique covers the humanitarian consequences of Israel’s military offensive. He expressed dismay at the suffering of civilians, stating, “We are dismayed by the fate of the civilian population and the terrible suffering of the civilian population.” Whether his recognition of the crisis represents German foreign policy’s first pivot toward a greater focus on humanitarian concerns remains to be seen.
In spite of his sharp criticism, Merz eventually confirmed that Israel’s security continues to be Germany’s most important national interest. He warned that the Israeli government must be cautious in its approach: “The Israeli government must not do anything that its best friends are no longer prepared to accept.”
Today, Merz and Netanyahu are in constant dialogue. Accordingly, observers will have their eyes on how these developments will impact Germany’s foreign policy more broadly and its relationship with Israel in particular. The shift in rhetoric from Merz may signal a broader reevaluation of how Germany addresses complex international conflicts while staying aligned with its historical commitments.
