Chicago – May 27, 2025
Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned on Tuesday that the country might take action against Israel and said it would not send weapons that could be used to break humanitarian laws. This was the strongest criticism from Germany about Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Germany, along with the United States, had supported Israel since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. But now, as Israel faces growing international criticism, Germany is changing its stance. The European Union is also reviewing its policy toward Israel, and countries like Britain, France, and Canada have threatened to take “concrete actions” over the situation in Gaza.
Speaking on the WDR broadcaster, Wadephul said that Germany’s long-standing support for Israel should not be used to justify actions that harm innocent people. He said that the air strikes in Gaza and the shortage of food and medicine have made life unbearable for people there.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz also criticized the air strikes, saying they are no longer justified and hard to understand. Merz had previously promised to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even after an arrest warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court.
The change in Germany’s tone is notable because the country has always felt a special responsibility to Israel, due to the legacy of the Holocaust. While Germany’s position hasn’t fully shifted, the comments mark a significant change in how the country is addressing the conflict in Gaza.
