Overview
- Merz arrived after talks in Jordan and is due to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Sunday, with a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial on the schedule.
- Berlin halted certain weapons exports to Israel in August over concerns about Gaza operations, then lifted the restrictions effective November 24 following a ceasefire.
- Operational links continue to grow as Germany activated the Israeli-made Arrow missile defense shield in a reported $4.5 billion deal and sought Israeli support on drone defense.
- Netanyahu is subject to an ICC arrest warrant, and German officials say there are currently no plans to invite him to Berlin, despite Merz’s earlier indication he would allow a visit without arrest.
- Before departing, Merz spoke with Mahmoud Abbas to reaffirm backing for a two-state solution and to press for Palestinian Authority reforms, as UN and local reports cite ongoing Gaza deaths and limited aid access under a fragile truce.