Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed understanding for the demonstrations occurring in Israel concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Speaking at an event hosted by the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” and the “Ostsee-Zeitung” in Schwerin on Tuesday evening, Merkel stated her current empathy aligns more with those demonstrating in favor of a ceasefire.
Acknowledging the necessity for Israel to bolster its security, Merkel highlighted the complexity of the situation. She noted Hamas’s documented practice of utilizing civilians as shields, placing military installations within civilian infrastructure – including hospitals, schools and kindergartens – ostensibly to protect fighters.
However, Merkel also conveyed reservations about the current approach taken by the Israeli government. She described Prime Minister Netanyahu’s conduct of the conflict as “harsh” and “unfeeling.
Regarding remarks made by current German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), who suggested Israel was performing a contentious task on behalf of others, Merkel adopted a measured response. She commented that individuals express themselves through varied language and phrasing, noting that such statements require no explicit justification.
