Germany’s Commitment to Israel’s Security
Some described the decision as further evidence of their leader’s unpredictability in handling key issues.
“Has ‘reason of state’ been dismissed? This marks a shift from [conservative] policy principles,” the youth division of Merz’s conservatives commented on Instagram.
In 2008, then-Chancellor Angela Merkel declared Israel’s security part of Germany’s “reason of state,” due to the nation’s historical responsibility following the Holocaust, where 6 million Jews were murdered by the Nazi regime.
“Israel’s security remains integral to German national interests,” stated Boris Rhein, CDU state premier for Hesse, on X. “Hamas must be defeated through combat, not negotiation. We must continue supplying Israel to confront and defeat Hamas and end terrorism.”
Recently, Merz faces increasing external pressure, with U.N. reports highlighting a looming famine in Gaza. Food and nutrition levels have plummeted, and starvation deaths are increasing.
Several European nations and the SPD urged Merz to take decisive actions, such as lifting Berlin’s blockade on partially suspending the EU’s agreement with Israel, fostering collaboration in trade and other areas.
Although Merz had indicated these actions were possible, recent resistance from within his party seems to have caused a reversal.
“We will not disrupt trade with Israel or Israeli trade. We have resisted numerous attempts to do so, including from Europe,” Merz stated in a Sunday interview.
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