Germany underscored its historical responsibility to the Jewish people and to the State of Israel. Such words were spoken after talks in Tel Aviv between Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to official sources.
Germany’s key stance on Israel’s security and its relations with the region remains unchanged: the memory of the horrific Holocaust calls for protecting the Jewish state and its citizens, as well as for supporting the existence of Israel as a sovereign and secure state.
Germany’s Position on Israel and Its Security
“We will always remember this horrific crime (the Holocaust), which Germans committed against the Jewish people. At Yad Vashem, precisely in this place, one can feel the unwavering historical responsibility that Germany bears. Therefore Germany will always defend the existence and security of Israel. This is an unchanging core principle of our relations.”
– Friedrich Merz
Merz emphasized that after the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, Germany clearly stood by Israel and supported the country’s right to defend its citizens and its own integrity.
“No state can tolerate the killing, kidnapping and torture of its citizens by Islamist terrorists, as happened in the kibbutzim around Gaza. Therefore we stood by you, even when many turned away during the war in Gaza.”
– Friedrich Merz
Balancing Security with Respect for Human Rights
Along with statements on security, Merz noted that the actions of the Israeli government in the context of a prolonged war present Germany with a dilemma: the need to defend Israel’s security must be combined with upholding the rule of law and respect for human dignity. A democratic country, even during war, must comply with international law and be accountable for its military actions. Merz also urged providing aid to Gaza residents and avoiding unilateral annexations on the West Bank of the Jordan River.
“Adheres to the rule of law even during war: democracy is responsible for its military actions in accordance with international law. It is also necessary to help Gaza residents and avoid annexations on the West Bank of the Jordan River.”
– Friedrich Merz
Peace Prospects and the Region’s Future
Merz welcomed the ceasefire in the region and expressed hope for the successful implementation of the second phase of the peace plan with Germany’s participation. He stressed the need to build a new order in the region where Israelis, Palestinians, and their Arab neighbors can live in peace, freedom, security, and dignity. He also emphasized that recognizing a Palestinian state should be the final outcome, not the start of a process.
“We must not be short-sighted. After the trauma of the war experienced by both Israelis and Palestinians, we must lay the foundations for a new order in this region, a new order in which Israelis, Palestinians, and their Arab neighbors can continually live in peace, freedom, security, and dignity… We are convinced that the final creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel probably offers the best prospects for such a future… The German federal government adheres to its position that recognizing a Palestinian state can only be the final outcome, not the start of such a process.”
– Friedrich Merz
Netanyahu, for his part, acknowledged that the second phase of negotiations would be extremely challenging.
In the context of the talks, there were also statements regarding future steps in the region and efforts toward disarmament and deradicalization. In particular, Netanyahu stressed that the third phase should become key in efforts to stabilize the situation in Gaza.
“We want to disarm Hamas. The third phase will be deradicalization of Gaza. This has been achieved in Germany and Japan; this can also be achieved in Gaza.”
– Benjamin Netanyahu
Israel also responded to accusations regarding the humanity of its actions in the war, stating that it uses appropriate and legal means to protect its citizens.
“Some thought that anti-Semitism had been eradicated. This is not the case. Attacks aimed at destroying Jews have moved from the Jewish people to the Jewish state… It is unbelievable. People protest in support of Hamas and accuse us of war crimes.”
– Friedrich Merz
In sum, Merz emphasized that Israel must maintain sovereignty along the entire stretch from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, and this is the key to the country’s security. Germany’s stance on Palestine remains clear: a two-state partnership as a path to a stable region.
Within this visit, the chancellor also confirmed that Germany does not currently recognize the statehood of Palestine, but supports a resolution to the Middle East conflict based on the two-state principle and three stages of peace development.