US EditionIn Jerusalem, Merz reaffirms Germany's support for Israel
Chancellor Merz emphasized defense cooperation including the Arrow missile system and urged Palestinian reforms to support a postwar order while reaffirming historic German-Israeli ties.
- On Dec 6, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz travelled from Berlin to Israel for his first visit since taking office, aiming to reaffirm bilateral ties amid recent diplomatic strains.
- The Gaza war that began on Oct 7, 2023 has left German-Israeli ties strained, as Friedrich Merz repeatedly criticised Israel's military campaign, which sources say killed more than 70,000 Palestinians.
- Before leaving Berlin on Dec 6, Friedrich Merz spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and, after a Jordan stopover with King Abdullah II, urged more humanitarian aid to Gaza and Hamas disarmament.
- After a brief stop, Merz landed at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport Saturday, met Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who called him `a friend of Israel`, and later Isaac Herzog; on Sunday, he will visit Yad Vashem and meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Since the US-backed ceasefire, Germany has lifted export restrictions and last week activated the Arrow missile defence shield under a US$4.5 billion deal.
76 Articles
76 Articles
The two heads of government stressed German-Israeli friendship at their meeting in Jerusalem after a difficult time. However, differences remain.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed Germany's responsibility for Israel's security during his visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial on Sunday.
On his first visit to Israel, Merz demands a two-state solution and warns against annexations in the West Bank. Today, he meets Netanyahu.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz flew into Israel Saturday for his first visit since taking office, and reaffirmed Berlin’s support after traditionally
Federal Chancellor Merz has travelled to Israel for the first time since he took office. In Jerusalem, he stressed Germany's continuing commitment to the Jewish state, but also indirectly criticised Israel's action in the Gaza war.
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