On Thursday, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) spoke with the Minister-President of Israel, Benjamin Netanjahu. According to the spokesperson for the Federal Government, Stefan Kornelius, on Friday, both parties discussed developments in Gaza. Merz strongly condemned the brutal terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 and expressed his concern about the fate of the hostages and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as stated by Kornelius. He also expressed his hope that negotiations for a ceasefire would soon begin.
On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Merz affirmed that the security and existence of Israel are part of Germany’s national interest. The Federal Government will resolutely combat the anti-Semitism that has flared up since October 7, 2023.
According to the spokesperson, Merz also praised the upcoming visits of Israel’s President Herzog to Berlin and of Federal President Steinmeier to Israel on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel. The situation in Syria was also a topic of discussion.