Merz in Jerusalem: Affirmation of the “Great Treasure” of German-Israeli Friendship Amidst the Gaza Dilemma
The inaugural visit of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to Israel on Saturday, December 6, 2025, served as a clear affirmation of the profound special relationship between Germany and Israel. Nevertheless, the political discussions were overshadowed by complex challenges stemming from the ongoing Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip. The Chancellor’s trip, his first to the Middle East since taking office in May, also included Jordan. The timing of the visit was marked by maximal diplomatic sensitivity, as reported by NT24, citing DW.
Meeting with President Herzog: Commitment Following October 7
During his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, Merz underscored Germany’s unwavering solidarity, particularly in the context of the “horrible massacres of October 7, 2023.” The Chancellor firmly rooted the unique historical responsibility of Germany, stemming from the Shoah. "The friendship between Germany and Israel is a great treasure," Merz wrote in the President's guest book. He emphasized that it is the "responsibility" of both nations to strengthen this singular bond "from generation to generation," even eighty years after the crimes of the Holocaust.
However, the German head of government did not shy away from addressing domestic German and international concerns regarding the conduct of the war in Gaza during the bilateral discussion. He openly acknowledged that the Israeli military's approach has presented Berlin with "a number of dilemmas." As a consequence, the Federal Government had taken measures which—the scarcely veiled allusion suggested—included a temporary and since-lifted partial suspension of arms deliveries to Israel. Despite these concrete differences, Merz stated that the fundamental political course and the foundation of the relationship remained unchanged. Furthermore, the Chancellor explicitly recognized the regional mediation efforts led by King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Peace Plan and Security Issues
A central topic of discussion was the recent peace plan for Gaza presented by US President Donald Trump. Merz expressed hope for the peace process to enter a new phase, but made this conditional upon the complete and mandatory disarmament of the terrorist organization Hamas. He clearly stated that "this war is being waged exclusively by Hamas" and stressed that a future perspective for the region, including Gaza, is only possible if Hamas lays down its weapons. President Herzog, for his part, expressed optimism that the plan could pave a viable way forward for the people in Gaza and Israel, as well as for the neighboring Arab nations.
In this context, Herzog explicitly commended the German decision to deploy the sophisticated Israeli Arrow 3 missile defense system in Europe, describing this step as "unique, deeply moving, and important."
Calls for Two-State Solution and Humanitarian Aid
The visit program is scheduled to continue on Sunday with a packed agenda. A deeply moving commemoration ceremony is planned for the morning at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial. Following this, a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to begin at 11 a.m. local time (9 a.m. GMT). Merz announced that he intends to use this opportunity to emphatically advocate for Germany's position on the Two-State Solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—a concept that Netanyahu and members of his cabinet have repeatedly and categorically rejected.
It is also anticipated that the Chancellor will strongly urge Israel to provide a substantial increase in humanitarian aid for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The escalating tensions and the security situation in the West Bank are also expected to be addressed. Before his return flight to Berlin, Merz is scheduled to meet with former hostages who were abducted by Hamas, as well as with relatives of hostages who were killed, in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation on the ground.
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