In Jerusalem, Merz reaffirms Germany’s support for Israel

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Israel on Saturday for his first visit since taking office, reaffirming Berlin's support at a time when traditionally close ties have been strained by the Gaza war.

- 

Mr Merz landed at Ben Gurion airport shortly before 8pm and was greeted by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who called him “a friend of Israel” and described Germany as “an important partner’.

The chancellor later met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem.

“I consider it a great honour... to reaffirm that standing by this country is and will remain the unchanging core principle of the Federal Republic of Germany’s policy,” Mr Merz said.

Earlier in the day, he held talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II during a brief stopover, focusing on the fragile peace process in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Mr Merz urged an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza and called on Hamas fighters to lay down their weapons, saying Germany and Jordan remained committed to a negotiated two-state solution.

“There can be no place for terrorism and antisemitism in this shared future,” he said.