JERUSALEM — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that Israel’s security remains a cornerstone of German foreign policy during his first official visit to Israel on Friday, even as he acknowledged the moral complexities posed by the ongoing Gaza conflict.
“We will always stand by this country’s side,” Merz told Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, emphasizing what he called Germany’s “special responsibility” for Israel’s right to exist—a commitment he described as rooted in the Holocaust and Germany’s historical obligations.
The visit, which came after months of strained relations over German arms export restrictions and mounting civilian casualties in Gaza, marked a delicate diplomatic balancing act for the new chancellor. While firmly restating Berlin’s unwavering support for Israeli security, Merz also pressed for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza and endorsed a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A Strategic Partnership Under Strain
Merz arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on December 6 to a warm reception from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who greeted him as a “friend of Israel.” The visit was part of a broader regional tour that included stops in Jordan, where Merz met with King Abdullah II, and a phone call with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas before his departure.
The chancellor’s trip follows a period of friction between the two countries over Germany’s temporary limits on certain weapons exports to Israel. During talks with Herzog, Merz acknowledged this tension directly. The Gaza war has created a “dilemma” for Germany, he said, given Berlin’s dual commitments to Israel’s security and to international humanitarian law.
Yet Merz insisted there are “no fundamental differences” between the two governments on Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas, referring to the shock of the October 7, 2023, attacks that triggered the current conflict.
Criticism and Cooperation
In a notable departure from unqualified endorsement, Merz described criticism of Israeli military actions as “necessary” in certain cases. He linked his support for Israel to calls for a ceasefire framework that would see Hamas disarm and pave the way for negotiations toward a two-state solution.
The chancellor also backed increased humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza. Merz urged internal reforms within the Palestinian Authority to prepare it for a stronger role in any post-war settlement.
Despite the political tensions, Merz highlighted continuing security cooperation between Germany and Israel. He pointed to the recent activation of the first phase of Israel’s Arrow missile defense system in Germany. The missile defense system is part of a multibillion-euro arms deal described as the largest in Israeli export history.
Historical Weight
The visit included a solemn stop at Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial, where Merz reiterated Germany’s “enduring historical responsibility” to stand up for Israel’s existence and security. This message echoed a longstanding principle of German foreign policy: that support for Israel remains non-negotiable, rooted in the crimes of Nazi Germany and the postwar commitment to protecting Jewish life.
“Standing by Israel is and will remain an unchanging core principle of German state policy,” Merz said, framing the commitment as a moral obligation that transcends day-to-day political disagreements.
As Merz departed, the fundamental question remained unresolved: how Germany will continue to balance its historical commitment to Israel with growing international pressure over the conduct of the Gaza war. For now, the chancellor’s message was clear—the partnership endures, even when tested by profound moral and political challenges.
