Germany’s Merz condemns far-right Israeli minister’s Gaza remarks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz strongly condemned remarks made by Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, regarding the potential killings of 30 to 40 people in Gaza each night. These inhumane appeals, according to Berline spokesman Sebastian Hille, violate international law and are unacceptable.

The comments, made in a podcast featuring a former Gaza hostage, have sparked widespread criticism in Germany, a country that has historically been one of Israel's strongest international allies. Lars Klingbeil, Germany's vice chancellor and finance minister, stated on TV that Ben Gvir's comments must have consequences. He added that sanctions are being considered at the European level.

In addition to condemning Ben Gvir's remarks, Germany also expressed strong disapproval of Israeli plans for settlement expansion in the E1 area of the West Bank. This expansion, Germany claims, jeopardizes the prospects for a two-state solution. Hille emphasized that there should be no further steps toward annexation in the West Bank, both formally and informally.

These measures, he said, contradict the two-state solution and run counter to any political, structural, or other actions that are increasingly leading towards annexation.