Berlin – Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s upcoming visit to Israel, scheduled for this weekend, is generating political ripples and highlighting a growing divergence in relations between Germany and the Netanyahu government. While Merz will engage in discussions with Israeli officials, including a planned meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a reciprocal invitation for Netanyahu to visit Germany remains off the table, a decision firmly reiterated by the German government.
“It’s not currently a topic” stated Deputy Government Spokesperson Steffen Meyer in response to inquiries from the dts Nachrichtenagentur, underscoring Berlin’s reluctance to extend the honor of a state visit to the Israeli Prime Minister. The decision marks a noticeable departure from standard diplomatic protocol, often characterized by reciprocal visits following such engagements.
Merz’s itinerary includes a visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust and a wreath-laying ceremony, signifying a solemn acknowledgment of Germany’s historical responsibility. Crucially, the trip also involves meetings with Israeli civil society representatives and intellectuals, suggesting a deliberate effort to broaden the scope of engagement beyond purely governmental interactions.
The planned discussion with Netanyahu will ostensibly cover bilateral relations and the precarious stability of the ceasefire in Gaza, alongside “other international themes”. However, beneath the diplomatic pleasantries lie significant tensions. The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) ongoing investigation, which has resulted in arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other Israeli officials on charges of war crimes stemming from the Gaza conflict, casts a long shadow over any potential for a warm relationship.
The German government’s consistent refusal to offer Netanyahu a state visit is seen by many analysts as a clear signal of disapproval regarding his government’s policies and actions in the region. While Berlin maintains a commitment to Israel’s security and the need for a two-state solution, the reluctance to court Netanyahu underscores a deepening chasm between Berlin’s political objectives and the current trajectory of Israeli governance. This nuanced approach signals a strategic recalibration in Germany’s relationship with Israel, prioritizing dialogue with a wider range of Israeli voices while distancing itself from the increasingly controversial figure of Prime Minister Netanyahu.
