Friedrich Merz meets Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a state visit to Israel. Merz stated he traveled ‘as a friend’ but noted that the actions of the Israeli government regarding the Gaza invasion have presented Germany with ‘a series of dilemmas.’ While affirming Israel’s right to defend itself and emphasizing the importance of international law, Merz expressed that the recognition of a Palestinian state should only occur at the conclusion of a two-state solution process. He also demanded that no annexations take place.

Netanyahu explicitly contradicted the Chancellor regarding the two-state solution, asserting that previous attempts at a Palestinian state were used to try to destroy Israel. He argued that Israeli control must remain over the area from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean.

Merz addressed the relationship between the two nations, stating that while criticism of the Israeli government is sometimes necessary and possible, such criticism ‘must not be used as a pretext for antisemitism.’ Prior to the meeting, Merz visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.