BERLIN: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has sharply criticised Israel’s ongoing air strikes in Gaza, stating they are “no longer justified” in the effort to combat Hamas.
Speaking at a press conference in Finland on Tuesday, Merz described the intensified military campaign following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks as “no longer comprehensible.”
Merz’s remarks mark a significant shift in Germany’s traditionally strong support for Israel, which has been shaped by the country’s historical responsibility due to the Holocaust. This shift follows growing demands across the political spectrum for Germany to reassess its stance on Israel.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul supported Merz’s concerns, while the junior coalition partner, the Social Democrats, have called for a halt to weapons exports to Israel, citing potential involvement in war crimes.
While Germany remains a key ally of Israel alongside the United States, Merz’s comments indicate a departure from this position. European Union members, including Britain, France, and Canada, have recently warned of possible punitive actions against Israel over its conduct in Gaza.
Merz said in Turku that the Israeli military strikes “no longer reveal any logic” in how they serve the fight against terrorism, describing the situation as “very, very critical.” His stance is notable given his previously strong pro-Israel position during his February election campaign, where he pledged to host Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu despite an ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes.
Although Merz plans to discuss the issue with Netanyahu this week, the German government has yet to make final decisions on weapons exports to Israel. A government official confirmed the matter is still under review by a security council chaired by Merz.
Public opinion in Germany is also shifting. A recent Civey survey showed that 51% of Germans oppose arms exports to Israel. A Bertelsmann Foundation poll found only 36% of Germans now hold a positive view of Israel, down from 46% in 2021. Meanwhile, 60% of Israelis view Germany favourably.
This evolving sentiment has sparked debate within the German government. Felix Klein, commissioner for antisemitism, has called for a broader discussion about the country’s support for Israel, emphasizing that historical responsibility should not justify all Israeli actions.
Israeli historian Moshe Zimmermann noted that while popular opinion in Germany is changing similarly to other countries, the political elite remains influenced by World War II lessons, maintaining strong support for Israel regardless of current events. However, he acknowledged that growing public pressure is forcing political leaders to reconsider their positions.
As the debate unfolds, Germany faces the challenge of balancing its historical commitment to Israel with mounting concerns over the humanitarian impact of the conflict in Gaza.
