German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing growing pressure to take a tougher stance on Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. Members of his coalition are urging Germany to join a group of Western countries that have strongly condemned the "inhuman" violence against Palestinians, Reuters reports, BTA reports.
Although Merz, leader of the center-right Christian Democratic Union, has increasingly criticized Israel, Germany did not sign the joint declaration of the EU and 28 Western countries, including Britain and France. The statement called for an immediate end to the Israeli military offensive and expressed outrage at the killing of more than 800 civilians waiting for humanitarian aid.
International Development Minister Reem Alabali-Radovan, a representative of coalition partner Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), said she was disappointed with Berlin's decision:
“The demands in the letter from the 29 countries are understandable. I would like Germany to join this signal to the Israeli government.“
Merz's office stressed that Germany's critical position coincided in substance with that of other allies, although it was not expressed in a joint declaration. The chancellor explained:
“I told Prime Minister Netanyahu very clearly and categorically that we do not share the Israeli government's policy in Gaza. We see the enormous suffering of the civilian population. The Israeli military strategy is unacceptable.“
Government spokesman Stefan Cornelius clarified that Germany prefers diplomatic channels to public statements. The country has traditionally maintained a cautious approach towards Israel because of its historical responsibility stemming from the Holocaust, known as "Staatsraison" (state interest).
The joint declaration, which Germany did not sign, does not mention an explicit demand for the release of hostages held by "Hamas". An issue that Germany regularly emphasizes in its positions.
Friedrich Merz is among the few European leaders who have said they are ready to receive Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Under international law, signatories to the Rome Statute, including Germany, are obliged to arrest war crimes suspects if they are on their territory.
Merz's critics, including representatives of the SPD, insist that historical guilt should not justify silence in the face of today's violations:
“The maxim ‘never again’ that emerged after the Holocaust must also apply to Gaza“, says a joint position by MPs Adis Akhmetovic and Rolf Mützenich.
They call on Berlin to join the declaration and demand concrete action against Israel, including a halt to arms exports and a temporary freeze on the EU-Israel association agreement.