Overview
- The chancellor reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to Israel’s security and said Israel’s Gaza conduct had placed Berlin in a dilemma.
- He urged advancing phase two of the ceasefire plan, including Hamas disarmament, as Hamas signaled conditional readiness tied to ending the occupation.
- Merz rejected any West Bank annexation and ruled out near‑term German recognition of a Palestinian state, while Netanyahu again opposed Palestinian statehood.
- Germany’s August partial arms embargo on Israel was lifted in late November, and both sides emphasized renewed defense cooperation, including Arrow 3.
- Merz declined to discuss inviting Netanyahu to Germany given the ICC arrest warrant and noted the truce’s fragility after reports of a deadly drone strike in northern Gaza.