Overview
- In Jerusalem, Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged enduring German backing for Israel, pressed for negotiations toward a two‑state outcome, called for more humanitarian access to Gaza, and cautioned against any West Bank annexation steps.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again rejected the creation of an independent Palestinian state, highlighting a core policy divide despite warmer rhetoric.
- Germany’s partial embargo on arms for Israel, imposed in August over the Gaza campaign, expired at the end of November as both governments moved to repair relations.
- Merz visited Yad Vashem and wrote that standing for Israel’s existence and security is an unchangeable core of Germany’s relationship, while noting Israel must be judged against international law.
- At home, the Chancellery reports more than 140 law‑enforcement contacts over potentially criminal statements since May, the BKA logged 5,155 Paragraph 188 cases in the first nine months with 92% of referrals via ‘Hessen gegen Hetze,’ and critics cite SLAPP‑like pressure as some probes led to fines or searches and a transparency lawsuit is pending.