Overview
- On his first visit since taking office, Chancellor Friedrich Merz met Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem and said there cannot be formal or de facto annexation measures in the West Bank.
- Merz stated that Israel must be held accountable to international law for its military actions in Gaza.
- Germany recently lifted its August partial arms embargo on Israel and signaled deeper cooperation, including joining the Arrow 3 missile-defense program.
- Netanyahu said political annexation remains under discussion and outlined a planned “third phase” to “deradicalize” Gaza under a U.S.-brokered plan, while criticizing the International Criminal Court and its prosecutor.
- Merz also met President Isaac Herzog and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, urged increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and reaffirmed support for a negotiated two-state solution.