Friedrich Merz

German Chancellor rejects broad EU sanctions against Israel

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejects general sanctions on Israel, citing historical responsibility towards the Jewish state.

German leaders came to strengthen the Jewish community in Berlin

A historic visit by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the President of the Bundestag, ministers and governors of the regions was held at the Chabad House campus in the city, following an unusual wave of anti-Semitism.

Smotrich to German Chancellor:

'You won’t force us back into ghettos'

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz writes that he is “very concerned about the developments in the Palestinian territories." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responds sharply: “You will not force us back into ghettos."

Iran war

German Chancellor doubts success of US-Israel campaign

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voices skepticism over whether the United States and Israel have a clear strategy to end the war with Iran.

Keep door open to talks

Merz, Meloni question Trump’s Peace Board

Germany and Italy say Trump’s Peace Board must change before they can join, while Spain declines outright.

German Chancellor:

'Iranian regime in its final days and weeks’

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Iran’s regime nearing collapse as widespread protests and deadly crackdown grip the country, with mounting international pressure and warnings from President Trump over Tehran’s actions.

Netanyahu:

'I won't retire from politics in exchange for pardon'

In meeting with German chancellor, PM states: 'The first phase is almost complete, and we hope to soon move to the second phase, which is more difficult.'

Pres. Herzog welcomes German chancellor, deepening bilateral ties

Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Israel; Merz reaffirmed Germany’s unwavering support for Israel’s security and its right to defend itself. 'It is in our core DNA to stand with Israel.'

German Chancellor Merz to visit Israel, meet Netanyahu

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit Israel Dec. 6-7, meeting PM Netanyahu to discuss Gaza ceasefire and bilateral ties.

Merz speaks to Netanyahu

'Ceasefire must hold, hostage remains must be returned'

German Chancellor Merz speaks to Prime Minister Netanyahu, urges Hamas to return the remains of hostages and uphold the Gaza ceasefire.

Merz affirms support for Israel

Erdogan accuses Germany of ignoring Gaza 'genocide'

Turkish President accuses Germany of ignoring “genocide” in Gaza during a tense press conference with Chancellor Merz, who reaffirms support for Israel and urges Hamas to disarm.

German Chancellor:

'Germany should quit Eurovision if Israel is barred'

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany should quit Eurovision 2026 if Israel is excluded, calling the debate “a scandal.”

German Chancellor:

'Israel’s actions in Gaza do not amount to genocide'

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says Germany will decide on its stance on EU sanctions against Israel before an October meeting.

In tears, wearing kippah

Chancellor Merz gives emotional speech on rising antisemitism

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attends the reopening of the Reichenbachstrasse Synagogue in Munich, expresses shock at the rise of antisemitism in the country, highlighting anti-Jewish sentiment among some Muslim immigrants and admitting: "For too long, we turned a blind eye."

87 Years Later:

Historic synagogue reopens in Munich

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was moved to tears at a dedication ceremony marking the reopening of the historic Reichenbachstrasse synagogue in Munich, saying he 'declares war on antisemitism.'

'Unacceptable'

France and Germany condemn Israeli airstrike in Doha

France and Germany condemn Israel’s airstrike in Doha, calling it a violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and a threat to regional stability, despite its targeting of Hamas leadership.

No to Palestine:

Germany won't join UN recognition push

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirms Germany will not join other nations in recognizing a Palestinian state at the next UN General Assembly, citing unfulfilled requirements.

After arms embargo

German defense giant considers US move

CEO of German defense firm Renk says the company may relocate production for Israeli contracts to the US following Chancellor Merz's suspension of arms deliveries to Israel.

German Chancellor faces backlash over Israel arms embargo

Germany’s halt of certain weapons exports to Israel has drawn condemnation from Jewish groups and members of Chancellor Merz’s own coalition.

Netanyahu:

'Germany rewarding Hamas terrorism with arms embargo'

Netanyahu speaks to German Chancellor Merz, tells him that Germany is rewarding Hamas terrorism by imposing an arms embargo on Israel.

German chancellor announces weapons embargo on Israel

Germany won't approve transfer of military equipment to Israel, report claims.

German Chancellor:

Hostage footage shows Hamas brutality, Israel must not mirror it

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemns Hamas for torturing Israeli hostages and using Gazans as shields. Citing disturbing footage of Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, Merz calls for a ceasefire conditioned on the hostages' release.

Over Chancellor's remarks

Iran summons Germany's ambassador

Iran’s Foreign Ministry summons Germany's ambassador in protest over remarks by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Israel is undertaking the "dirty work" on behalf of the international community in striking Iran.

German Chancellor:

Israel is doing the world's 'dirty work' in Iran

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz calls Operation Rising Lion 'the dirty work Israel is doing for all of us' in an interview about the conflict between Israel and Iran.

German Chancellor:

'Netanyahu must be able to visit Germany'

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must be allowed to travel to Germany, despite an ICC arrest warrant, stresses Netanyahu was democratically elected.

Herzog and German Chancellor watch release of Edan Alexander

At the end of their meeting, the Israeli President and the Chancellor of Germany watched together the release of Edan Alexander, after 584 days in Hamas captivity.

After tense vote:

Friedrich Merz secures German Chancellorship

Friedrich Merz clinches German chancellorship in a second-round vote, overcoming a historic first-ballot setback.

Germany’s Election:

Merz wins, AfD surges in historic far-right gain

Germany’s conservative opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, secures victory in national election, while Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieves strongest showing for German far-right since World War II.