Historic visit of german chancellor friedrich merz to israel

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Prime Minister”s Office in Jerusalem, Dec. 7, 2025. Photo by Amos Ben-Gershom/GPO.

#Germany

The new German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, made his first official trip to Israel since taking office in May, arriving in the country on Saturday evening and being greeted with warm displays of friendship by Israeli leaders

The visit symbolizes not only the continuation of the special relationship between Germany and Israel, but also a moment of strengthening this alliance amidst the current challenges in the Middle East.

Shortly after his arrival, Merz was received at Ben Gurion Airport by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who greeted him as a friend and highlighted that relations between Berlin and Jerusalem are clearly improving.

Among the positive signs cited by Sa’ar were the end of a partial arms embargo, German opposition to boycotts against Israel, and Germany’s abstention in a UN vote that sought to renew UNRWA’s mandate without stricter conditions.

On Saturday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog received Merz at his official residence in Jerusalem.

Following the meeting, Herzog stated that Israel and Germany are true friends and strategic allies, and revealed that the two leaders discussed the importance of moving forward with the peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, already approved by the UN Security Council.

Among the central points is the need to completely remove Hamas from control of Gaza, disarm it, and guarantee the immediate release of the last Israeli hostage still in captivity, Ran Gvili.

On Sunday, Merz met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his office in Jerusalem.

Hours before departing for Israel, the Foreign Minister had spoken by phone with the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, encouraging him to implement urgent reforms.

Spokespeople for the German government reinforced that the Palestinian Authority can play a constructive role in the post-war scenario and that Berlin continues to consider the two-state solution as the definitive path to peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Welcome to Israel, Chancellor Friedrich Merz! I am pleased to welcome my friend, @Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz, on his first visit as Chancellor. Israel and Germany are true friends. This important relationship continues to be a significant strategic asset for both nations. During our meeting this evening, we discussed the importance of implementing President Trump”s plan, approved by the United Nations Security Council, and emphasized that Hamas must be removed from Gaza and disarmed. In addition, Hamas must uphold the agreement and release the last remaining Israeli hostage still being held in Gaza, Ran Gvili. We also discussed ways to further deepen our vital partnership, in the hope of a better future. “”””

In messages published in Hebrew on the X network, Merz expressed emotion, recalling that the rapid resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries soon after the Holocaust is still seen as a miracle, and that the deep friendship built since then is something extraordinary.

“I come here with profound faith and as a friend of Israel.

We will always be by your side,” he wrote, addressing President Herzog directly.

The firm stance of support for Israel has been a hallmark of the new German government.

Shortly after taking office, Merz publicly declared that Germany must stand with Israel within a renewed Western alliance, a phrase he repeated in speeches to young people of his party, the Christian Democratic Union, receiving enthusiastic applause.

Although previous German governments have always defined the security of Israel as a fundamental part of German foreign policy – “”due to historical responsibility for the Holocaust – in recent years there has also been criticism of Berlin allocating millions of euros to Palestinian and international organizations that question the legitimacy of the Jewish state.

Since the massacre perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, however, Germany’s stance has become visibly more aligned with Israel than that of many other European countries.

A concrete example of this military cooperation was the delivery, in early December, of the first complete Arrow 3 anti-missile defense system to the German Air Force, in a ceremony held near Berlin.

This is the largest defense export contract in Israel’s history and represents a milestone in the strategic partnership between the two countries.

I was glad to welcome the Chancellor of Germany @_FriedrichMerz on his first visit to Israel as Chancellor. The Chancellor is a friend of Israel and Germany is an important partner. Relations between the countries are on an upward trend. This trend is reflected in the removal of the partial embargo, Germany”s clear opposition to all types of boycotts against Israel, and its abstention at the UN from supporting the extension of UNRWA”s mandate. Last week, an Israeli “Arrow? battery for defense against ballistic missiles was deployed in Germany for the first time. Germany is an important friend, and I am convinced that the Chancellor”s visit will contribute to the strengthening of the special relations between the countries. “”””

For Merz, the current ceasefire in Gaza is consolidating, and now it is time to move to the second phase: to definitively eliminate the bases of Hamas terrorism and rapidly improve the dramatic humanitarian situation of the civilian population in the Strip.

With gestures, declarations, and practical actions, the German Chancellor’s visit reinforces that, seventy-nine years after the end of the Second World War, Germany remains committed to standing by Israel – not only out of historical duty, but as a choice of friendship and shared values.

Published in 12/07/2025 12h43

Portuguese version

Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.

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