The images from the Israeli towns on the border of the Gaza Strip, the brutality and cruelty of the Hamas terrorists towards Israeli and Jewish civilians - they led to horror, consternation and great political solidarity, especially in Germany, the country of the perpetrators of the Holocaust. There was often talk of a turning point in the weeks and months after October 7, 2023, and a confession that Angela Merkel had made years earlier suddenly took on great significance: Israel's security is German reasons of state.
The traffic light coalition led by Merkel's successor Olaf Scholz will now be measured against what then Chancellor Merkel assured Israel's parliament in 2008. Germany supported Israel's army with arms deliveries from German companies and tried to help diplomatically with the liberation of the hostages kidnapped in the Gaza Strip. There were also German-Israelis among them.
More anti-Semitic attacks
Domestic political effects of October 7th were already evident back then. The attack was polarizing. The terrorist attack was condemned by Arab-Muslim parts of German society. But there was also open display of joy and Hamas solidarity. Anti-Semitic attacks increased.
German politicians responded by tightening criminal law accordingly. This debate continues to this day. Just this week, the Hessian Ministry of Justice and the Central Council of Jews in Germany presented plans to criminalize denials of Israel's right to exist, for example during pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Many Jewish people in the country continue to feel unsafe.
Federal government under pressure
After Israel attacked the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas attack, the debate in Germany changed. The number of civilian deaths rose, the humanitarian catastrophe became ever greater and the question of proportionality became ever louder. Surveys in German society show growing rejection of Israel's actions. This put the ruling politicians under pressure and called the line of unrestricted solidarity into question.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who long defended support for Israel, joined critics of Israel's tactics in the Gaza Strip shortly after taking office as Chancellor. Merz explained in May 2025 that he "frankly no longer understands what goal" Israel is pursuing there. The German Chancellor's criticism bounced off Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The pressure on the German government to rethink how it deals with Israel increased and Friedrich Merz responded. He imposed a partial ban on the supply of arms to Israel. This partial embargo has now been lifted.
German-Israeli government consultations last took place in 2018
In the Gaza Strip, the weapons are largely silent, even if the conflict is not brought to a lasting end by this fragile ceasefire. Dealing politically with Israel remains difficult. The Israeli government, which is partly right-wing extremist, is at least a complicated partner for the German side.
The originally planned annual government consultations between the two countries last took place in 2018. Germany is sticking to a two-state solution in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians - even if this demand increasingly seems like a denial of reality given the situation. Germany regularly criticizes Israel's occupation of the Palestinian West Bank and the construction of settlements there. The Israeli side appears unimpressed.
No fundamental policy change expected
These tensions do not change Germany's commitment to Israel's right to exist. The Chancellor said on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Hamas attack that we stand up for Israel's security and existence. Friedrich Merz promised the Jews in Germany that he would do everything to protect Jewish life.
The German government is now turning its attention to the elections in Israel at the end of the month. It could be that Benjamin Netanyahu, a politically rather unwieldy partner for Germany, will be voted out. A victory for the anti-Netanyahu camp would perhaps make cooperation easier. However, a fundamental policy change in the Middle East conflict is unlikely.
