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DW
3 days ago
- Politics
- DW
How has Israel reacted to criticism from Chancellor Merz? – DW – 05/29/2025
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has criticized Israel's military conduct in Gaza, calling it "beyond comprehension." Israel's government has been slow to respond, which experts believe show the remarks have hit home. Earlier this week, in response to an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced Palestinian civilians, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed criticism at Israel's conduct in Gaza. "It's a human tragedy and political catastrophe," he said in a publicly aired interview at the European Forum, organized by the German public broadcaster WDR. "Frankly speaking, I no longer understand what the goal of the Israeli army in Gaza Strip is," he added, referring to Israel's expanded operations in the enclave and the humanitarian crisis that has emerged from an Israeli blockade. Merz also stressed he was well aware of Germany's history, and wanted to exercise caution when expressing criticism. "But when lines are crossed, when international humanitarian law is truly being violated, the German chancellor must say something about it," he stressed. Until now, no leading German politician has been so clear in criticizing Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza. The Israeli ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, was quick to respond. "When Fredrich Merz raises this criticism of Israel, we listen very carefully, because he is a friend," he told the German public broadcaster ZDF on Tuesday morning. Prosor went on to claim Israel was trying save those kidnapped on October 7, 2023, provide aid for Gaza's remaining civilians and prevent a "terrorist regime" in Gaza. Since October 2023, Israeli operations have killed at least 53,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, and repeatedly displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza Image: Eyad Baba/AFP In response to the Hamas-led attacks in Israel in 2023, which saw 251 people kidnapped into Gaza and about 1,200 killed, Israel has been conducting a massive military campaign in the small coastal territory. So far, Israeli operations have killed at least 53,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, and repeatedly displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza. An ongoing Israeli blockade has put Palestinians in Gaza at critical risk of famine, with an estimated 71,000 children currently facing starvation. The International Court of Justice last year issued a ruling that indicated concerns of Israel committing a genocide in Gaza were "plausible." Israel has repeatedly bombed schools, mosques and hospitals in Gaza, claiming Hamas had repurposed them as commando centers and weapons depots, without providing any concrete evidence. As a result, all public hospitals in north Gaza are now out of service. Germany, Israel, the US and other states deem Hamas a terrorist organization. Merz's words 'stung the political elite' Simon Wolfgang Fuchs, an associate professor of Islamic studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said it was remarkable that Israeli media had reported on Merz's comments, but barely any formal comments or government response had been issued on the matter. "That could in part be due to the fact that, despite his criticism, Friedrich Merz stayed quite vague in terms of possible consequences," he said. While other European nations had voiced bolder criticism of Israel's conduct in Gaza, "Chancellor Merz has so far been very restrained," he added. "It would appear that the ongoing silence is an indicator that his remarks stung the political elite, and that Jerusalem takes what he said very seriously." Former Israeli ambassador reacts to Merz criticism of Israel To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Israel willing to listen only to 'conservative, right-wing allies' In response to Merz's remarks, the liberal Israeli daily Haaretz published a rare opinion piece. "While [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu can always accuse left-leaning leaders who criticize Israel's war in Gaza […] of succumbing to domestic antisemitic forces, he has had little to nothing to say publicly about pro-Israel allies like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz," David Issacharoff wrote on Tuesday. From this, he concluded, "it seems that only right-wing leaders have any sway over the […] prime minister as he wages a politically motivated war of destruction on Gaza that kills dozens of Palestinians every day, according to Gaza's health officials." This strategy appears to have found its continuation in Ambassador Prosor's cautious response. As Issacharoff wrote: "Prosor usually bashes any criticism of [Israel] as Jew-hatred. His restraint revealed a stark truth: Israel is willing to listen only to its conservative, right-wing allies." 'New shift in tone' leaves a lasting impression in Israel Peter Lintl, an expert on Israel at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, believes the Israeli government heard Merz's remarks loud and clear. In this context, he also pointed to Israel's association agreement with the European Union, which EU member states have put up for review. The trade agreement is meant to deepen economic ties between partners, and requires both partners to uphold human rights. The fact that the EU's trade ties with Israel are now in question has left a lasting impression in Israel, the expert said. The same goes for the growing pressure from the US government and several US senators that are usually quite pro-Israel, he added. "It seems to me that this wider context is decisive," said Lintl. "But in this context, Germany's new shift in tone will certainly be heard." Israel closes 6 UNWRA-operated schools in east Jerusalem To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Fuchs also believes Merz's comment bear more weight because many Israelis are currently concerned over their country's growing isolation. "I'm under the impression that many Israelis fear their country is currently losinGaza aid group, mired in controversy, begins operatingg so much standing, that it can no longer be considered part of the western community of values," he said. "Most Israelis feel they clearly belong to the West. They want to be a part of it and stay a part of it." Is Netanyahu feeling pressure? Lintl does not believe Merz's criticism will be able to stop Israel's war in Gaza. But, he said, the main question was how much pressure Prime Minister Netanyahu is feeling from his own coalition. "Some Cabinet members are pushing to reoccupy Gaza. And Netanyahu depends on them politically. The question is whether the current course can be corrected," he said. In this regard, the Haaretz article noted that German leaders needed to stop declaring their responsibility for Israel's right to exist. "Their obligation, rather, is to question the way it exists, especially with [German] support," wrote Issacharoff. "A friend of Israel, Merz must choose between only going viral on Instagram, or doing all he can to prevent the horrific killing of Palestinian children in Gaza, which Netanyahu has shown no intention of stopping anytime soon." This article was originally written in German.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Merz: German-Ukraine long-range missile production, no Taurus yet
Germany is to assist Ukraine in the production of long-range weapons, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday, as he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin for the first time since taking office earlier this month. But on the question of whether he would okay sending German-made Taurus cruise missiles - which Zelensky very much wants - Merz said he wouldn't rule it out, but added they might not help immediately on the battlefield. "Of course, this is within the realm of possibility," Merz told public broadcaster ZDF about the Taurus missile deliveries. But he noted that using the missiles would require several months of training for soldiers in Ukraine and stressed that if the system were delivered in six months or a year, it would not help Ukraine now. That's why Germany is improving its military cooperation and support with Ukraine now. "We want to enable long-range weapons. We also want to enable joint production," Merz said at a press conference in the German capital. The move represents "the start of a new form of military-industrial cooperation" between Germany and Ukraine, "which has great potential," the chancellor said. Ukraine, which has been fighting off a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years, is in need of missiles that can attack Russian airfields and supply lines deep inside Russian territory. Merz's predecessor, Olaf Scholz, consistently opposed deliveries of German-made Taurus cruise missiles amid warnings that the move would escalate tensions with Moscow. Merz reiterated his position, first issued earlier this week, that all restrictions on where Ukraine can use German weapons have now been lifted. Zelensky made clear that he wants the Taurus missiles. "Of course we need them," he said. Defence ministers sign written declaration Shortly after the press conference, the German Defence Ministry confirmed that Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov have signed a "written declaration providing for the financing of the production of long-range weapons in Ukraine." The package is worth around €5 billion ($5.7 billion), the ministry said. The ministry said the plan "will enable a considerable number of long-range weapons to be produced this year." Commenting on the developments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Wednesday accused the German leader of further fuelling the war with his remarks. "This is nothing more than an attempt to force the Ukrainians to continue fighting," he said, accusing Berlin of torpedoing efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. Wadephul rejects Russian comments In Washington, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul accused Russian President Vladimir Putin on US television of being unwilling to end the war. "Russia has begun this war. Russia is going on with this conflict, and doesn't bring it to an end," he said in an interview with Fox News. Earlier, Wadephul urged Europeans to do everything possible to enable Ukraine to defend its own territory. During his visit to Washington, Wadephul met with his US counterpart Marco Rubio, among others. Following their meeting, Wadephul emphasized that despite existing differences, there is a fundamental alignment with the United States in the effort to achieve peace in Ukraine. He strongly rejected Russia's accusation of warmongering because of Germany's commitment to jointly build missiles with Ukraine. "If there is anyone who should not be talking about warmongering, it is Peskov, because he and his regime are not only doing so verbally, but are actually waging an illegal war that violates international law," Wadephul said after talks with Rubio. "And that is why we will not allow him to lecture us in any way," Wadephul said of Peskov. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the Russian state news agency TASS that Germany was allowing itself to be drawn straight into the war by financing the production of Ukrainian missiles, which Wadephul rejected, noting that it was Russia that had invaded Ukraine. Ceasefire efforts lose steam The announcement comes amid signs that renewed European and US efforts in recent weeks to seek an end to the bloody conflict are losing steam. Merz has spent large portions of his first weeks in office abroad, attempting to revitalize German leadership in Europe in the face of the ongoing threat from Russia and an apparent shift in US foreign policy under President Donald Trump. In the press conference with Zelensky, Merz underlined that "no one wants peace more than Ukraine itself," emphasizing that the Ukrainian government is ready for "technical conversations" with the Russian side "in the Vatican, in Geneva or at any third location." But, he said, Russia's "massive aerial attacks" on Ukraine are a "slap in the face" for those seeking peace. With ceasefire efforts stalling, the German chancellor appears to have turned his attention to shoring up Ukraine's military capabilities. Joint consultations later this year "We want to expand this further and, towards the end of the year, we will have German-Ukrainian government consultations again for the first time in many years," said Merz. Zelensky's Berlin visit - his fourth since the outbreak of the war in February 2022 - was only officially announced early on Wednesday, as Zelensky's travel plans are often kept confidential for security reasons.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Israel aid up for debate, says Germany's Merz amid arms embargo calls
The German government is debating the extent of its aid to Israel, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday, amid calls for a weapons embargo over the war in Gaza. "We are in close contact and dialogue with the Israeli government," Merz said in Turku at a joint press conference with Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. While Berlin has steadfastly supported Israel since the October 7, 2023, attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, German leaders have stepped up demands in recent days for Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and to support the territory's civilian population. In response to a question on the possibility of Germany suspending arms deliveries to Israel, Merz said the extent of support is "the subject of internal consultations within the German government" that have not yet been finalized. "We will first discuss this within the federal government and then make decisions," said the chancellor, who took office earlier this month. Merz on Monday issued a rare rebuke to Israel, warning that "if lines are crossed, where international humanitarian law is really being violated, then Germany, the German chancellor, must also say something about it." "Frankly, I no longer understand the Israeli army's actions in the Gaza Strip or what their goal is," he said. "Causing such suffering to the civilian population, as has been increasingly the case in recent days, can no longer be justified by the fight against Hamas terrorism." Israel has launched another offensive in Gaza, with dozens of deaths reported in the war-torn coastal territory daily. The move has sparked international condemnation, amid warnings that the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are facing the risk of starvation due to Israel's recent blockade of humanitarian aid. Some countries, including Spain, are even floating the idea of imposing an arms embargo on Israel over the situation in the sealed-off Palestinian territory. The proposal has also been backed by some centre-left lawmakers in Germany, putting pressure on the government to respond. Ambassador: Israel listens to Merz Merz's comments have raised eyebrows, with Israel's ambassador to Germany saying on Tuesday that his government takes the criticism seriously. "When Friedrich Merz voices this criticism of Israel, we listen very carefully because he is a friend," ambassador Ron Prosor told broadcaster ZDF. Prosor stressed his country's determination to eliminate Hamas, arguing Israel cannot build a future as long as the Islamist terrorist organization still exists. "They want to wipe us out." The ambassador said Hamas had once again fired rockets at Israel on Tuesday, noting that a ceasefire could have been struck "yesterday" if the hostages held in Gaza were released, but accused Hamas of standing in the way. "They have turned schools into weapons depots, mosques into barracks and hospitals into command centres," he charged. Jewish leader calls for 'caution' Meanwhile, the Central Council of Jews in Germany has called for "caution" amid mounting German criticism of the Israeli military's actions in Gaza. "I call for caution in the debate: Politicians should avoid using anti-Semitic narratives that relativize hatred of Jews by referring to Israel's conduct of the war," Central Council President Josef Schuster told dpa on Tuesday. Schuster said he did not oppose Merz's comments, agreeing that "civilian casualties must be minimized as much as possible and humanitarian aid for the civilian population in Gaza is necessary." But he warned that the fight against the Hamas "terrorist militia" is existential for Israel, and said that Jews in Germany must not be collectively made responsible for the Israeli military's actions. "This exonerates all the Jew-haters who follow precisely this anti-Semitic logic," said Schuster. "The result is a normalization of Israel-related anti-Semitism, which worries the Jewish community in Germany." "In this fight, Germany must stand unwaveringly by Israel's side," he added. Schuster said Hamas bears responsibility for the suffering in Gaza, and could end it by releasing the hostages and laying down its weapons.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Merz slams Israeli actions in Gaza as German criticism mounts
Israel's actions in Gaza "can no longer be justified by the fight against Hamas terrorism," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday. Speaking at a conference in Berlin, Merz said that Germany must exercise more restraint than any other country when commenting on Israel. "But if lines are crossed, where international humanitarian law is really being violated, then Germany, the German chancellor, must also say something about it," Merz said. While he emphasized the close relationship between Germany and Israel, Merz said "the Israeli government must not do anything that its best friends are no longer prepared to accept," highlighting the "suffering" of the civilian population in Gaza in recent days. Israel has launched another offensive in Gaza, with dozens of deaths reported in the war-torn coastal territory daily. The move has sparked international condemnation, amid warnings that the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are facing the risk of starvation due to Israel's recent blockade of humanitarian aid. Merz's comments came after a leading German foreign policy expert said public criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza by the country's allies has had "zero" effect in protecting Palestinian lives. Armin Laschet told broadcaster ZDF on Monday that a joint statement issued last week by Britain, France and Canada calling Israel's escalation of military activity in Gaza "disproportionate" had no impact in ending the conflict or ensuring humanitarian aid could reach the territory. Laschet, the chairman of the foreign affairs committee in the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, said the new conservative-led German government's "quiet diplomacy" and "clear words" to Israel were "more effective than constant resolutions and pithy slogans." Germany has taken a more cautious approach than other EU states in criticizing Israel during the war in Gaza, which broke out in 2023 following the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Berlin sees Israeli security as a "reason of state" due to Germany's historic responsibility for the Holocaust. However, Laschet insisted that the term "doesn't mean you can't criticize Israel, you can't demand aid deliveries, you can't criticize the prime minister." "You can do all that," said Laschet. "You can also say that the government has right-wing extremist ministers, you can also say that the war aims are wrong." The German government's anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, expressed a similar view on Monday in an interview with the rbb radio station. "We must learn to distinguish between the actions of the Israeli government and Israel as a whole, there are big differences," said Klein. However, he rejected a call by centre-left lawmakers in the Bundestag to end German arms exports to Israel. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also rejected a Spanish proposal for an arms embargo on Israel during a visit to Madrid on Monday.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Top German lawmaker: Public criticism of Israel has 'zero' effect
Public criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza by the country's allies has had "zero" effect in protecting Palestinian lives, a leading German foreign policy official said on Monday. Armin Laschet told broadcaster ZDF that a joint statement issued last week by Britain, France and Canada calling Israel's escalation of military activity in Gaza "disproportionate" had no impact in ending the conflict or ensuring humanitarian aid could reach the territory. Laschet, the chairman of the foreign affairs committee in the Bundestag, Germany's lower house of parliament, said the new conservative-led government's "quiet diplomacy" and "clear words" to Israel were "more effective than constant resolutions and pithy slogans." Germany has taken a more cautious approach than other EU states in criticizing Israel during the war in Gaza, which broke out in 2023 following the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Berlin sees Israeli security as a "reason of state" due to Germany's historic responsibility for the Holocaust. However, Laschet insisted that the term "doesn't mean you can't criticize Israel, you can't demand aid deliveries, you can't criticize the prime minister." "You can do all that," said Laschet. "You can also say that the government has right-wing extremist ministers, you can also say that the war aims are wrong." The German government's anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, expressed a similar view on Monday in an interview with the rbb radio station. "We must learn to distinguish between the actions of the Israeli government and Israel as a whole, there are big differences," said Klein. However, he rejected a call by centre-left lawmakers in the Bundestag to end German arms exports to Israel.
