Germany's Stance on Gaza Hardens: Merz Declares Israeli Actions "No Longer Acceptable"
Germany's long-standing, often unwavering support for Israel, rooted deeply in its historical responsibility, appears to be undergoing a significant shift. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has intensified his public criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, unequivocally stating that its approach is "no longer acceptable." This marked hardening of tone comes amidst mounting international alarm over the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave and growing civilian casualties.
Speaking at a news conference in Berlin on Friday, July 18, 2025, Chancellor Merz expressed profound concern over the situation in Gaza. He declared, "What the Israeli army is now doing in the Gaza Strip, I frankly no longer understand with what goal. The actions in the Gaza Strip are no longer acceptable to us."
A Critical Turning Point
Merz's recent remarks represent a notable departure from Germany's traditional diplomatic posture, which has consistently emphasized Israel's right to self-defense following the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023. While Germany maintains that core principle, the scale of civilian suffering in Gaza has evidently crossed a threshold for Berlin.
The Chancellor elaborated on his concerns: "We are pushing for, first, a ceasefire there and, second, comprehensive humanitarian aid for the people in the region." He confirmed having raised these critical points directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their phone conversations and stated his commitment to continue these diplomatic efforts. Merz also revealed that he discussed the Gaza situation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit to London on Thursday and plans to address it again with French President Emmanuel Macron when the French leader visits Berlin next week.
Merz's explicit questioning of Israel's military strategy's goals and its impact on the civilian population is a powerful signal. He has previously stated that in his view, a "line had been crossed and international humanitarian law had been breached," emphasizing that "starving Palestinians and deliberately making the humanitarian situation dramatically worse has nothing to do with safeguarding Israel's right to exist. And it cannot be German reason of state either."
Mounting Civilian Toll and Humanitarian Crisis
The German Chancellor's increasingly vocal criticism reflects the devastating human cost of the conflict. Since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in 2023, nearly 59,000 Palestinians have been killed, and over 100,000 wounded, with women and children making up the majority of casualties. Furthermore, at least 1.9 million Palestinians remain displaced, enduring severe shortages of food, medical supplies, and other essential necessities. Israel is also currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
Merz's government has also expressed strong disapproval of Israel's settlement policy and its reported plans for forced relocation of Gaza's population. He reiterated his call for increased humanitarian aid, acknowledging that aid delivery has been severely hampered by various restrictions, including Israel's decision to replace international aid programs with the controversial US-run and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which critics view with deep cynicism.
Navigating a Complex Diplomatic Path
Despite the heightened criticism, Germany is carefully balancing its position. Merz brushed off calls for the suspension of EU association agreements with Israel and firmly rejected any equivalency between Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Israel's approach to Gaza, asserting that Russia launched an unprovoked war of aggression while Israel is defending itself against Hamas.
However, the increasingly harsh rhetoric from Berlin underscores a profound shift. While Germany remains committed to Israel's security, it is now more openly asserting that this commitment does not equate to unconditional support for all of Israel's military actions, particularly when international humanitarian law is perceived to be violated and civilian suffering reaches catastrophic levels. The coming weeks will likely see Germany continuing its diplomatic push with both Israeli and European partners to advocate for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.
