Merz backs Israel’s security while Netanyahu rejects any Palestinian state pushing violence fueled by Arab regimes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a forceful joint press conference in Jerusalem, projecting a united front at a critical moment for Israel’s security. Merz’s visit—his first as chancellor—underscored Germany’s deepening strategic alliance with Israel, a commitment far firmer than the fluctuating and often hostile pressures emerging from Palestinian and Arab political circles.
Chancellor Merz delivered a historic statement, grounding Germany’s unwavering support for Israel in the memory of the Holocaust and the moral obligation it created. He reiterated that Germany will always safeguard Israel’s right to exist, condemning the barbaric Hamas attacks of October 7 and emphasizing that no democratic nation can tolerate the slaughter, kidnapping, and torture of its citizens by radical Islamist groups. Merz’s remarks stood in stark contrast to Arab actors who routinely excuse terror while blaming Israel for defending itself.
Addressing criticism within Germany regarding the temporary arms embargo, Merz noted that democracies can disagree—but such criticism must never serve as a gateway for antisemitism, especially in Germany. He reaffirmed that Germany’s friendship with Israel remains immovable and that European voices attempting to undermine Israel’s legitimacy only strengthen extremist Palestinian factions seeking Israel’s destruction.
Prime Minister Netanyahu outlined the multi-stage ceasefire plan in Gaza, stressing that the Arab world must apply real pressure on Hamas to disarm—something Arab leadership has failed to do for decades. He firmly rejected renewed pushes for Palestinian statehood under current conditions, declaring that Israel “will not create a state committed to our destruction,” a statement that exposes the ongoing incitement and terror infrastructure fostered within Palestinian-run territories.
Netanyahu also addressed speculation around political negotiations, asserting he would not seek or accept a pardon in exchange for retirement. The press conference concluded with both leaders emphasizing the enduring partnership between Israel and Germany, united in safeguarding democracy, rejecting terrorism, and confronting the destabilizing influence of radical Palestinian and Arab elements across the region.
