A state dedicated to Israel: Germany

In the escalating conflict following Israel’s attack on Iran, Germany stands out as the European nation providing the most substantial and unconditional support to Tel Aviv.

While the federal government approves of Israel’s actions against Iran and does not criticize the killing of civilian scientists, it objects to Iran’s retaliatory measures.

Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union, commented on the attack against Iran on Friday, stating, “We affirm Israel’s right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens.”

Merz also announced that his government is preparing for “possible attacks by Iran against Israeli and Jewish targets.” In a statement before heading to the G7 summit in Canada on Sunday, he said, “Tehran must immediately stop the bombardment of civilian targets in Israel.”

Israel’s Embassy in Berlin has been closed indefinitely since Friday. The federal government has also increased security for Jewish institutions.

Merz stated on Friday that security officials were taking the necessary precautions.

He also reiterated Germany’s position that Iran should not develop or possess nuclear weapons. “This would pose a threat to Israel, the Middle East, and the entire international community,” Merz claimed.

Arguing that Iran’s nuclear program constitutes an “existential threat to the state of Israel,” Merz defended the country’s “right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens,” calling it “Israel’s legitimate right.”

Merz had also previously guaranteed that his government would not touch Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Before formally becoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz had said, “I promised that we would find the ways and means for Netanyahu to visit Germany and leave again without being arrested if he plans to do so.”

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul echoed these sentiments on Friday, stating that Berlin would “stand in solidarity with Israel.”

Wadephul also announced that Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are prepared to hold urgent talks with Iran regarding its nuclear program to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.

The German minister, who is currently holding talks in the Middle East and will visit Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Oman, and Israel, stated he is trying to contribute to reducing tensions between Israel and Iran. He alleged that Tehran had previously missed opportunities for constructive dialogue.

In an interview with the German public broadcaster ARD late on Saturday (June 14), Wadephul said, “I hope this is still possible. Germany, France, and the UK are ready. We are offering Iran urgent negotiations on the nuclear program, and I hope the offer is accepted. This is also a crucial precondition for de-escalating this conflict so that Iran poses no danger to the region, the state of Israel, or Europe.”

Speaking from Oman on Sunday, Wadephul argued that the conflict could only end if all parties applied pressure on both Iran and Israel.

“There is a shared expectation that both sides must make a serious attempt to stop the cycle of violence in the coming week,” the minister said.

When asked if he believed the Iranian government could fall, Wadephul stated that he did not think Israel intended to overthrow the regime in Tehran.

Touching on Gaza, Wadephul called the humanitarian situation in Palestine “unacceptable” and urged Israel to grant unrestricted access to aid organizations.

“The hunger, death, and suffering of the people in Gaza must end,” said Wadephul, while asserting that Hamas was responsible for the conflict, adding that the group must release the hostages abducted during its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

In his first week in office, following visits to France, Poland, and Ukraine, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul traveled to Israel.

The German state’s approval of Israel’s attacks on Iran and the killing of Iranian civilians appears to be linked to the “Staatsräson” (reason of state) doctrine formulated during the Angela Merkel era. This is based on the idea that ensuring Israel’s existence and security also ensures Germany’s own existence and security.

The previous “Green” Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, had also given her full support to Israel’s indiscriminate occupation in Gaza.

In her speech to the Federal Parliament on October 10, 2024, Baerbock stated, “Self-defense does not just mean fending off terrorists; it means destroying them. When Hamas terrorists hide behind people, behind schools… civilian places lose their protected status because they are abused by terrorists.”

Baerbock added that she had clearly communicated to the UN that “civilian areas can lose their protected status because they are abused by terrorists.”

In 2024, Israel purchased goods worth $91.5 billion worldwide. Israel’s largest exporters were China with $19 billion, the United States with $9.4 billion, and Germany with $5.6 billion.

Germany primarily exports vehicles, pharmaceuticals, machinery, and electronic products to Israel. For instance, in March 2025, Germany’s top exports to Israel were pharmaceuticals (€43.5 million), motor vehicles and caravans (€43.5 million), and railway or tramway locomotives and wagons (€30.4 million).

Germany announced earlier this month that it had approved arms sales to Israel worth nearly half a billion euros since October 2023.

In response to a parliamentary inquiry from the Left Party, the German government stated that from October 7, 2023, to May 13, 2025, export licenses for arms shipments totaling €485.1 million ($554.3 million) were granted to Israel.

The approved exports include a wide range of military equipment, including weapon systems, ammunition, radar and communication devices, and parts for armored vehicles.