German chancellor faces pressure over refusal to condemn Israeli war crimes

Middle East Eye

6 days ago

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under fire after Berlin declined to back a joint statement by 29 Western nations condemning Israel's war on Gaza, Reuters reported.
The declaration, signed earlier this week by countries including Britain and France, called the killing of Palestinians 'inhumane' and slammed the 'drip feeding of aid' into the besieged enclave. Over 1000 civilians have reportedly died while trying to reach food aid.
Reem Alabali-Radovan, Germany's development minister and member of the SPD coalition partner, criticised the move.
'The demands in the letter from the 29 partners to the Israeli government are understandable to me. I would have wished for Germany to join the signal sent by the 29 partners,' she said.
Merz defended Germany's position, saying the European Council had already adopted a statement in June that 'practically' mirrored the contents of the new letter.
The earlier declaration, while deploring the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stopped short of condemning Israel's proposed plan to relocate Palestinians to what it calls a 'humanitarian city.' It also lacked the stronger language found in Monday's joint appeal.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives a statement during his first visit as Chancellor at the State Chancellery of Lower Saxony in Hanover, northern Germany, on July 22, 2025 (AFP)