Overview

• At a Hamburg event, Johann Wadephul said Germany must accept Israel’s rationale for its mid-June strike on Iran and stands “in doubt” on Israel’s side.
• He emphasized that Germany’s historical responsibility does not preclude critiquing Israeli military conduct, including operations in the Gaza Strip.
• Wadephul is working alongside Britain and France to pursue a negotiated settlement between Israel and Iran.
• He described the strike as “regrettable,” a tone that contrasts with Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s praise of Israel’s operation as the West’s “dirty work.”
• Despite the public tonal split, government policy remains unified in pairing security support for Israel with active diplomatic engagement.