Helsinki (TDI): German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has strongly criticized Israel’s ongoing air strikes on Gaza, describing them as “no longer justified” in the war against Hamas.
Speaking at a media conference in Finland on Tuesday, Merz stated the massive military campaign, which has intensified since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, was “no longer comprehensible.”
Merz’s remarks signal a major shift in both public and political opinion in Germany, where the government has long adhered to a policy of special responsibility for Israel due to the Holocaust legacy.
This shift follows increasing demands from across the political spectrum for a reassessment of Berlin’s position on Israel.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul echoed Merz’s concerns, while junior coalition partner the Social Democrats have called for a halt to weapons exports to Israel, citing potential complicity in war crimes.
While not a full break from Berlin’s long-standing backing for Israel, Merz’s comments mark a significant departure. Germany, along with the US, has traditionally been one of Israel’s strongest allies.
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However, European Union (EU) members, including UK, France, and Canada, have recently threatened concrete measures against Israel over its conduct in Gaza.
“Israel’s massive attacks in Gaza no longer reveal any logic to me,” Merz said. “How they serve the goal of confronting terror. In this respect, I believe this is very critical.”
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Merz’s comments are especially striking given his strong pro-Israel stance during his election campaign in February.
At the time, he vowed to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Germany, despite an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
