Friedrich Merz

Germany stands 'firmly' on Israel's side, Oct. 7 must never be repeated, says Chancellor Merz

“Our Israeli friends can count on our efforts to ensure that such a crime is never repeated. And we will stand up to those who relativize or even question Israel’s right to exist."

People look at Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate is illuminated with the Israeli flag in Berlin on October 7, 2026, the third anniversary of Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel.
US President Donald Trump speaks with media before boarding Marine One as he travels to Grand Island, Nebraska, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, US, October 5, 2026.

Trump speaks with Netanyahu in solidarity of October 7, as world leaders share condolences

German Chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader, Friedrich Merz, walks to attend a press conference, after the state elections, in Berlin, Germany, September 21, 2026.

'Unrestrained antisemitism': German politicians, Jewish leaders warn over Left Party’s rise

US President Donald Trump holds his fist up after disembarking from Air Force One upon arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on September 7, 2026.

Trump attributes state election win of AfD to Gemany's 'horrible' immigration policies


Currently no plans to buy additional F-35 jets, Berlin says

"There are no plans, and there is no decision," the government spokesperson said.

Unveiling of the new F-35 during a rollout ceremony of F-35 fighter jets ordered by Finland at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Fort Worth, Texas, US December 16, 2025.

Iran rejects call to halt uranium enrichment after second round of indirect US negotiations in Oman

An Iranian official told Reuters the direct talks had not officially started, and that Iran’s demands had been conveyed to the US via Oman.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) meets with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi for indirect nuclear talks with the US in Muscat, Oman, February 6, 2026.

Erdogan, Sharaa discuss Syria as SDF confirms withdrawal following ceasefire

Turkey’s President Erdogan spoke with Syrian President Sharaa after a deal with Kurdish forces, as SDF leader Mazloum Abdi confirmed a military withdrawal, and plans to visit Damascus.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrive for a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, February 4, 2025.

Germany’s Merz: I believe we are witnessing final days, weeks of Iran’s regime

“If a regime can only cling to power through violence, then it's effectively over anyway,” Merz said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits Bosch's facility in Bengaluru, India January 13, 2026.

Israel and Germany's rekindled alliance presents a strategic opportunity - opinion

Over the decades, guilt, the driving force behind Germany’s attitude toward Israel, has been replaced by mutual interests and strategic partnership.

 Eyal Zamir is seen signing a many-billion-euro deal with Germany to provide Israel’s Arrow 3 missile defense system, 2023 (as Defense Ministry director-general).

EU leaders agree on joint borrowing to fund Ukraine, set aside plan to use Russian frozen assets

The leaders also gave the European Commission a mandate to continue work on a so-called reparations loan based on Russian immobilized assets, but that option proved unworkable for now.

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks with European Council President Antonio Costa as they attend a European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium, December 18, 2025.

Germany sees reality: Why a Palestinian state is no longer realistic - opinion

After the October 7 massacre, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz now rejects the idea of a two-state solution.

 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during an industrial sector association BDI event in Berlin, Germany, June 23, 2025.

'A just and lasting peace': Pope Leo calls for dialogue after meeting Ukraine's Zelensky

The pope's comments echo Zelensky's frequent demands for a "just" peace as the Ukrainian leader tries to ensure that any agreement to end Russia's war in Ukraine is balanced.

Pope Leo XIV addresses the crowd during a meeting with bishpops, priests consacrated persons and personal workers at the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa, northeast of the capital Beirut, on December 1, 2025.

Lufthansa Cargo imposes embargo on Israel‑bound military, security cargo

The company said that it was an internal decision by Lufthansa Cargo to impose an embargo on all military and security cargo

 Lufthansa cargo aircraft is pictured at Frankfurt airport, Germany, November 27, 2020

Merz visit highlights new strategic, and strained, Germany-Israel bond - analysis

Notably, Germany opposed various sanctions proposals in the EU. It is one of the few countries Israel can count on to at least abstain from one-sided UN General Assembly resolutions.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, December 6, 2025.