War in the Middle East: Merz defends his decision on Israel

Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded on Sunday to the fierce discontent within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) over his decision to supply weapons to Israel . In an interview with ARD's Tagesthemen program recorded that afternoon, he said there was no change in Germany's Israel policy. The decision had merely been made that no more weapons could be exported to the country that could be used in the Gaza Strip. The reason for this was the Israeli cabinet's decision to further escalate the military conflict there.

Aside from this decision on arms deliveries, the principles of German Israel policy would remain unchanged. There is a "disagreement" with the Israeli government, specifically regarding its actions in the Gaza Strip. "But a friendship can withstand that."

Merz pointed out that in Israel, even the Chief of Staff "has considerable doubts about the purpose of this action." Furthermore, several hundred former employees of the intelligence and security services in Israel are publicly protesting against the actions in the Gaza Strip. "Of course, I'm also influenced by this to some extent in my own opinion."

Because Israel is allowing too little food into the Gaza Strip, doctors like Ahmed al-Farra report increasing numbers of malnourished children in their wards – for example, 13-year-old Huda. They say there's a lack of everything, and some children are even being turned away.

The Federal Republic of Germany has stood firmly by Israel's side for 80 years, Merz said. Nothing will change that. "We will continue to help this country defend itself." But Germany cannot supply weapons to a conflict that the Israeli government intends to resolve exclusively by military means. This approach could result in hundreds of thousands of civilian casualties and would require the evacuation of the entire city of Gaza. "Where are these people supposed to go?" asked the Chancellor. "We cannot, we are not doing that – and I will not do that either."

In response to criticism that he hadn't sufficiently consulted on his decision, Merz said: "I didn't make this decision alone, but at the end of the day, it is a decision for which I alone must take responsibility – and I alone take responsibility." The Chancellor also reported that on Sunday morning he had reiterated to the Israeli president: "The principles of Germany's Israel policy will not change." Furthermore, the causes of the conflict in the Gaza Strip would be clearly identified. "The cause is Hamas; it is Hamas's terrorism." This must be combated, "but with the right means and with the right goal."

On Friday afternoon, Merz issued a press release announcing that the German government would not approve "any exports of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip until further notice." This sparked enormous resentment within both CDU/CSU parties. Johannes Winkel, the federal chairman of the Junge Union (Young Union), sarcastically wrote on Platform X: "Starting today, Israel will do our dirty work, only without German weapons." Roderich Kiesewetter, chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Foreign Affairs Committee, described Merz's decision as a "serious political and strategic mistake by Germany."

Matthias Hauer ( CDU ), Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Research, spoke of a devastating signal. Hamas is responsible for the terrible suffering in Gaza and must be "permanently destroyed—otherwise, there will never be peace there."

The CSU also voiced strong opposition. Klaus Holetschek, chairman of the CSU parliamentary group in the Bavarian State Parliament, wrote on X: "I consider this decision to be wrong. Hamas clearly started the war with its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023." Especially in challenging times, he said, Germany must stand by its friends. "Israel's security is and remains a matter of state for us."

It was telling that after Merz's announcement on Friday, not a single CDU leader came to the Chancellor's aid. Neither CDU parliamentary group leader Jens Spahn, nor CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann, nor any of the CDU state premiers commented on the Chancellor's decision that day. There was considerable discontent among them—partly because they were not involved in the decision. This also applies to the CSU.

"The CSU was not involved in this decision, and we consider it questionable," CSU regional group leader Alexander Hoffmann told Bild newspaper. "This would be a departure from decades of foreign policy continuity toward Israel and, as such, requires at least some explanation."

On Saturday, Merz held talks with several CDU executive committee members, including Linnemann and Spahn. He also reportedly had a phone call with CSU leader Markus Söder that evening. And on Sunday, the Chancellor appeared on ARD.