War in the Middle East: Merz once again sticks to threats

Israel must "immediately and comprehensively improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza," Merz said in Berlin. He called on the Israeli government to "provide the suffering civilian population with rapid, safe, and sufficient humanitarian and medical aid." Should this not happen, the German government reserves the right to continually adapt "measures in light of events." Merz left open exactly what these measures would be. No concrete consequences were proposed at the meeting, but they had "considered what options might be available."

Last week, the SPD parliamentary group called for a halt to the export of weapons used in violation of international law to the Israeli government, as well as for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Asked whether such steps would be conceivable for the German government, the Chancellor stated that such steps were reserved. Following a conversation on Sunday, Merz planned to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again that evening.

According to the German government, Merz demanded on Sunday that Netanyahu provide urgently needed humanitarian aid to the starving civilian population in the Gaza Strip. "The measures announced by the Israeli government must now be quickly followed by further substantial steps," said government spokesman Stefan Kornelius. In the phone call, the Chancellor "also expressed that the German government is prepared to increase pressure if progress is not made."

In recent weeks, the Chancellor has significantly toughened his tone toward the Israeli government – but so far, no consequences have been forthcoming. His rhetorical shift was already evident in a government statement in May. While Merz assured the Israeli government of his unconditional solidarity in this speech, he also called on all parties involved to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Shortly thereafter, the Chancellor made headlines at the re:publica digital conference when he sharply criticized Israel's conduct of the war. He stated that he "frankly no longer understands the country's objective." The massive damage to the civilian population could no longer be justified by the fight against the terrorist Hamas.

Last week, Merz called on the Israeli government to "stop the massive military interventions, facilitate a ceasefire, and, above all, facilitate humanitarian aid for the population there." Merz also said he claimed to have been one of the first "to say very clearly, even in Germany, that the conditions there are no longer acceptable." Growing frustration with Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip has recently been heard from government circles. The German government, government spokesman Kornelius said on Friday, is "prepared to increase the pressure if progress fails to materialize."

Germany will participate in an airlift of relief supplies for the people of Gaza

That sounds markedly different from the Chancellor's words at the beginning of his term in office, when he assured the Israeli Prime Minister – despite an international arrest warrant – that "ways and means" would be found to allow him to visit the Federal Republic "and also leave again without being arrested in Germany." Just a few months ago, the Chancellor declared that he considered the idea "that an Israeli Prime Minister cannot visit the Federal Republic of Germany" absurd.

But now, a different tone is sounding here too. In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung , he dodged the question of whether Prime Minister Netanyahu could travel to Germany despite the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant . He said the question would be answered when it arises. Netanyahu "has other things to do at the moment than make state visits," Merz said.

The situation for the civilian population in the narrow coastal strip is catastrophic. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned of a deadly hunger crisis, and aid organizations report a lack of drinking water and inadequate medical care. Over the weekend, in response to international criticism of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Israel eased the blockade on Gaza and allowed humanitarian aid into the narrow coastal strip.

A "tactical pause in military activities for humanitarian purposes" is to take place daily between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to allow UN convoys to safely deliver aid. The Palestinian relief agency UNRWA called on the social media platform X for the opening of all border crossings into the Gaza Strip. A "flood" of aid deliveries is necessary to prevent the hunger crisis among the population in the sealed-off coastal strip from worsening.

In Berlin, Friedrich Merz said that the measures initiated on Sunday were an important first step, which must be followed promptly by others. To help the people in the Gaza Strip, the German government had also decided, together with Jordan, to set up an airlift for humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. While this would only be "a very small help" for the people, it was a contribution the government was willing to make. Furthermore, Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) is expected to travel to Israel this week – possibly together with his colleagues from Great Britain and France.