Overview
- At Yad Vashem, Friedrich Merz reaffirmed Germany’s responsibility from the Holocaust and said Berlin will stand up for Israel’s existence and security.
- In a joint news conference, Merz called for more humanitarian access to Gaza and for negotiations toward a two-state outcome, saying recognition should follow, not precede, talks.
- Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a Palestinian state, reiterated Israel’s security priorities and said discussions on the next phase of the Gaza plan would proceed later this month.
- Germany’s August pause on certain Israel-bound weapons ended on November 24; defense cooperation is deepening, with the first phase of the Israeli-made Arrow missile shield now operating in Germany.
- Merz spoke with Mahmoud Abbas and met Jordan’s King Abdullah II before the trip, urging PA reforms, and German officials say there are no current plans to invite Netanyahu to Berlin given the ICC warrant.