Germany's Chancellor Merz makes inaugural trip to Israel

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz travels to Israel this Saturday for his first visit since assuming office, aiming to reaffirm the historically strong relations between the two countries that were strained during the recent Gaza conflict. After a brief stop in Jordan for discussions with King Abdullah II, Merz will continue his journey to Israel in the evening, where he is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Sunday. The German leader will also visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial during his stay.

Germany's unwavering support for Israel has been a cornerstone of its foreign policy, particularly due to the country's dark history of Nazi atrocities against Jews. In September, during a speech marking the reopening of the synagogue in Munich that was severely damaged by the Nazis, Merz struggled to contain his emotions, visibly moved as he spoke. However, the recent escalation of violence following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has tested Israeli-German relations. Merz, who took office in May, has been vocal in his criticism of Israel's aggressive military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians.

In August, Merz initiated measures to limit the export of weapons for use in Gaza, although these restrictions were lifted after a fragile US-brokered ceasefire and hostage agreement brought an end to the large-scale fighting. Despite this, local health authorities report that more than 350 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the ceasefire, along with three Israeli soldiers.

Merz's diplomatic efforts have also included a conversation with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmud Abbas before leaving Berlin on Saturday. A spokesperson for Merz stated that he emphasized Germany's commitment to a two-state solution but also urged Abbas to implement necessary reforms within the PA to ensure it plays a constructive role in the post-conflict landscape.

Following the recent tensions between Germany and Israel, officials in Israel are expecting Merz's visit to send a clear "signal of continued support." Michael Rimmel, head of the Jerusalem office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, associated with Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), acknowledged that while German-Israeli relations have been tested in recent years, they remain "better than many people think." However, he noted that Berlin's influence on Netanyahu's government is limited, especially on key issues like West Bank settlements, which continue despite opposition from Germany and other countries. Rimmel also pointed out that the US has more leverage, especially in matters like the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Gil Shohat, head of the Tel Aviv office of the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, a left-wing German organization, sharply criticized Merz for making the trip. He argued that by meeting with Netanyahu, who faces accusations of war crimes and corruption, Merz was effectively endorsing the Israeli government's hard-right policies. "Netanyahu is a wanted war criminal," Shohat said. "Legitimizing him now sends a dangerous message in a situation that must not be normalized."

Despite Merz's rare public criticism of Israel, his comments have been measured compared to international standards. Merz recently voiced strong support for Israel in the wake of discussions over whether the country should be excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest, condemning any such exclusion as "scandalous." The decision to include Israel in the upcoming contest was welcomed in Berlin, even as it sparked boycotts in countries like Spain and the Netherlands.

Nonetheless, despite the enduring relationship between the two countries, German officials have made it clear that there are no current plans to invite Netanyahu to Berlin. Merz had promised earlier this year that Netanyahu would not face arrest during a visit to Germany, a statement made after his partys election victory in February. However, tensions regarding the Israeli leader's legal issues have kept any potential visit at bay.

Even with the strains in political relations, military cooperation between Germany and Israel remains strong. Last week, Germany activated the first phase of the Israeli-made Arrow missile defense system as part of a $4.5 billion deal, the largest arms export agreement in Israel's history. Additionally, Germany has increasingly turned to Israeli companies for assistance in drone defense technologies.

The German-Israeli Society, which advocates for strengthening bilateral ties, stated that Merz's visit should focus on repairing the damage to the relationship. The society also emphasized that military cooperation between the two nations has shifted over time, with Israel now playing a key role in Germany's defense strategy, particularly in technology exchanges.

Author: Noah Whitman