Overview
- On a two-day visit that included Yad Vashem and talks in Jerusalem, Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to Israel’s existence and security.
- Merz urged immediate negotiations toward a Palestinian state, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed a two-state solution and said Israel would not create a state he argues threatens its survival.
- Germany ended a partial suspension of certain arms exports on November 24 following the October 10 ceasefire and is advancing defense cooperation, including deployment of Israel’s Arrow missile shield under a reported $4.5 billion deal.
- Merz called for more humanitarian access to Gaza; local health authorities report more than 360 Palestinian deaths since the ceasefire and at least 70,000 since 2023, figures the UN treats as credible, as aid levels remain below UN targets.
- Netanyahu’s International Criminal Court arrest warrant continues to complicate diplomacy, with Merz saying no Berlin visit was discussed; ahead of the trip he spoke with Mahmoud Abbas and met Jordan’s King Abdullah II.