Germany changes its tone and criticizes Israel for the war in Gaza

BerlinGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz has in recent days raised the tone of his criticism of Israel for the intensification of the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip and the dramatic consequences for the civilian population. Merz believes that Israel can no longer justify the suffering of civilians in Gaza with the fight against Hamas

"What What the Israeli army is doing now in the Gaza Strip"I honestly don't understand what the point of this is anymore," Merz admitted publicly on Monday in an interview with public television station WDR. "When the limits are crossed and international humanitarian law is actually violated, the Federal Chancellor must also speak out," Merz added, in an unusually critical tone toward Israel for a chancellor. "Massive military attacks by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip no longer make sense as a means of fighting terror," Merz insisted on Tuesday at a press conference with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Turku, Finland. Merz recalled that "the German government continues to unhindered defend the excuses." "Hamas must release the hostages and lay down its arms," Merz demanded in Finland.

The conservative chancellor reiterated that Israel's existence and security are and will remain a raison d'état for Germany. the Holocaust.

Likewise, Merz believes that "there is no contradiction" with this when the German government shows itself "more than concerned about the intensification of military activities by the Israeli army in Gaza and dismayed by the misfortune and terrible suffering of the civilian population." "We are committed to combating Hamas terrorism. The civilian population is being excessively affected," lamented the chancellor, who considered that the time has come to say "publicly that what is happening is no longer comprehensible."

He avoids talking about an arms embargo on Israel.

Merz, however, has not commented on whether his public criticism of Israel will have consequences beyond his words. When asked by a journalist about a possible suspension of Germany's authorization for arms deliveries to Israel, Merz simply said that he wanted to "intensify dialogue" with the Israeli government and also try to help find a solution to the conflict. "We maintain close dialogue with the Israeli government, and we also ask and demand that it allow humanitarian aid and guarantee food security, water supplies, and food for the population of the Gaza Strip," he added.

For the time being, the chancellor rules out an arms embargo on Israel, although a growing number of Social Democratic politicians, Merz's partners in the coalition government, are calling for a suspension of arms supplies.

Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, has stated that the Israeli government takes Germany's criticism of its actions in the Gaza Strip very seriously. "When Friedrich Merz makes these criticisms of Israel, we listen very carefully, because it is a friend," Prosor told ZDF television. However, the ambassador was critical of the willingness of other European countries, such as France and Spain, to recognize a Palestinian state, arguing that this would mean "rewarding" Hamas after the October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel. The ambassador underscored his country's determination to eliminate Hamas.

On May 19, the heads of state and government of France, the United Kingdom, and Canada condemned the expansion of Israeli military operations in Gaza in a joint statement, but Merz did not. The three governments threatened Israel with retaliation if Benjamin Netanyahu's government continues its military offensive and does not allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.