Merz reaffirms Germany's commitment to Israel during briefing alongside Netanyahu

(7 Dec 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jerusalem - 7 December 2025
1. Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor, and Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, at new conference
2. SOUNDBITE (German) Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor:
"Germany will therefore always stand up for Israel's existence and security. This is part of the immutable core of our relationship. This applies today, it applies tomorrow, and it applies forever. And now, after the terrible terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, Germany has once again clearly and firmly stood by Israel's side."
3. Wide of new conference
4. SOUNDBITE (German) Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor:
"However, in the course of this long war, the actions of the Israeli government have also presented us with a certain dilemma. Germany must stand up for Israel's security, and Germany must stand up for human dignity and justice, which are at the heart of our constitution, especially after the Shoah and the World War. As a country at war, as a democratic constitutional state, Israel must also be measured against international law in its military actions."
5. Mid of presser
6. SOUNDBITE (German) Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor:
"Our conviction is that the eventual establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel probably offers the best prospect for the future. A two-state solution can only be achieved through negotiations, and it will stand at the end of those negotiations. But these negotiations are necessary right now. The German government remains of the opinion that the recognition of a Palestinian state can only come at the end of such a process, not at the beginning."
7. Netanyahu and Merz shaking hands
8. SOUNDBITE (German) Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor:
"We did not discuss the possibility of Prime Minister Netanyahu traveling to Germany. There is no reason to discuss this at the moment. If time permits, I would issue such an invitation if appropriate. But this is not an issue for either of us at this point in time."
9. Merz and Netanyahu leaving new conference
STORYLINE:
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday stressed that Berlin would “always stand up for Israel’s existence and security” as he continued his visit to the country.

“This is part of the unchanging core of our relationship. This applies today, it applies tomorrow, and it applies forever,” Merz said alongside Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, after the pair met for talks.

Merz however, acknowledged that Israel's conduct during the war in Gaza had posed a dilemma for Germany.

“Germany must stand up for Israel’s security, and Germany must stand up for human dignity and justice, which are at the core of our constitution," he said.

"As a country at war, as a democratic constitutional state, Israel must also be measured against international law in its military actions," he added.

Germany had placed a temporary ban on exporting weapons to Israel earlier this year.

Last month the ban was lifted after a ceasefire was agreed between Israel and the Hamas militant group.

Merz also said a two-state-solution offered "the best prospect for the future" of the region but that any recognition of a Palestinian state could only come at the end of negotiations.

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