Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended his decision on Sunday, August 10, 2025 to partially suspend weapons deliveries to Israel, despite growing criticism from within his own conservative bloc and from Germany’s far-right party.
Speaking to a public German broadcaster, Merz reaffirmed Germany’s long-standing commitment to Israel but insisted that supporting a close ally does not require unconditional approval of all its actions.
“The Federal Republic of Germany has stood by Israel for 80 years. That will not change,” said Merz. “We will continue to help this country defend itself.”
Internal Party Tensions
Merz’s Friday announcement to suspend exports of military equipment that could be used in Gaza particularly in light of Israel’s plans to seize control of Gaza City, sparked pushback within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the party he leads. The party’s youth organization even called the move contrary to fundamental CDU and German principles.
Merz explained he had reassured the Israeli president earlier on Sunday that Germany’s friendship with Israel remains intact.
“We have one point of disagreement, the military operation in Gaza. But this is something our friendship can endure,” he said.
He further clarified:
“Solidarity with Israel doesn’t mean we must see every government decision as right, or support it to the point of supplying weapons.”
Rift with the Bavarian CSU
According to Bild newspaper, Merz did not inform the leadership of the Christian Social Union (CSU) the CDU’s Bavarian sister party about the arms freeze, causing frustration within the governing coalition. CSU leader Markus Söder and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt had repeatedly emphasized unconditional solidarity with Israel.
“I didn’t make this decision alone,” Merz said. “But ultimately, it’s my responsibility alone. It’s not something to be voted on democratically.”
Merz’s tone toward Israel has grown more critical in recent months as the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated. UN experts warn that famine may soon strike the war-ravaged strip, which has been under constant military assault for nearly two years.
Far-Right Populists Also Criticize Merz
Tino Chrupalla, leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), also slammed Merz not for suspending weapons deliveries, but for what he called the chancellor’s indecisiveness.
“He can’t unify his government or his parliamentary group,” Chrupalla told ZDF. Still, he added, “Our position has always been clear: we reject arms exports to conflict zones and war regions. That has been our stance since the beginning.”
Netanyahu: We Will Win—With or Without Support
In Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded sharply to the German decision, declaring:
“We will win this war with or without anyone’s support.”
Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu said Israel remains committed to its military goals in Gaza, which include “disarmament, full security control by the Israeli army, and a civilian administration that is not Israeli.”
He also lashed out at what he described as a “global campaign of lies” against Israel, and indirectly accused Merz of buckling under domestic pressure:
“Chancellor Merz is a good friend of Israel, but he’s been affected by false media reports and internal pressures.”
Merz rejected that claim in a separate interview with ARD:
“I’m not reacting to media pressure. My views are based on cabinet discussions and expert consultations.”
Civilian Casualties in Gaza
On the ground in Gaza, at least 26 Palestinians were reportedly killed while attempting to access food aid.
Medical officials said they received bodies from areas where people had gathered along aid routes or near distribution points.
At Nasser Hospital, ten people were killed while waiting near the new “Morag Corridor” between Rafah and Khan Younis.
In northern Gaza, six people were shot dead near Zikim Crossing, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry and Al-Shifa Hospital.
In central Gaza, eyewitnesses reported that Israeli forces initially fired warning shots, followed by live rounds into crowds waiting at a food distribution center operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
The Associated Press could not independently verify the source of the gunfire. Al-Awda Hospital in Al-Nuseirat refugee camp said it received four bodies of civilians killed by Israeli fire.
