Friedrich Merz

Merz's CDU party unanimously adopts motion to end UNRWA funding, create rules for payments to PA

At the CDU congress, Merz's party approved a motion to freeze aid to the Palestinian Authority until reforms are made, end EU/German subsidies to UNRWA, and ensure antisemitism compliance.

|ByMATHILDA HELLER
Chancellor Merz greets Merkel at CDU federal congress in Stuttgart, Feb 20, 2026.
Unveiling of the new F-35 during a rollout ceremony of F-35 fighter jets ordered by Finland at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Fort Worth, Texas, US December 16, 2025.

Currently no plans to buy additional F-35 jets, Berlin says

"There are no plans, and there is no decision," the government spokesperson said.

|ByREUTERS
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) meets with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi for indirect nuclear talks with the US in Muscat, Oman, February 6, 2026.

Iran rejects call to halt uranium enrichment after second round of indirect US negotiations in Oman

An Iranian official told Reuters the direct talks had not officially started, and that Iran’s demands had been conveyed to the US via Oman.

|ByJAMES GENN, REUTERS
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrive for a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, February 4, 2025.

Erdogan, Sharaa discuss Syria as SDF confirms withdrawal following ceasefire

Turkey’s President Erdogan spoke with Syrian President Sharaa after a deal with Kurdish forces, as SDF leader Mazloum Abdi confirmed a military withdrawal, and plans to visit Damascus.

|ByREUTERS, JAMES GENN

German halt to arms support to Israel is a blunder - opinion

The announcement by Chancellor Friedrich Merz was met with swift backlash from Jewish organizations.

AUGUST 12, 2025ByPAUSHALI LASS
THE ANNOUNCEMENT by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to suspend arms deliveries to Israel has unleashed quite a storm at home, says the writer.

Germany prepares huge orders for jets, armored vehicles, sources say

The purchases are part of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s push to build Europe’s most powerful conventional army, aiming to reduce reliance on an increasingly unpredictable ally, the United States.

JULY 30, 2025ByREUTERS
Norway's Air Force F-16 fighters (R) and Italy's Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighters patrol over the Baltics during a NATO air policing mission from Zokniai air base near Siauliai, Lithuania, May 20, 2015.

Germany's Merz spoke with Trump about buying Patriots for Ukraine

Merz initiated the call with Trump to promote arms deliveries to Ukraine, particularly Patriots, after the Pentagon paused some shipments.

JULY 4, 2025ByREUTERS
Soldiers stand during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's visit to a military training area to find out about the training of Ukrainian soldiers on the “Patriot” anti-aircraft missile system, at an undisclosed location, in Germany, June 11, 2024.

Germany is '100% behind Israel,' minister vows at site of Iranian strike on Bat Yam

Dobrindt visited the site with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, where he said there is no justification for attacks on civilian populations.

JUNE 29, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar visit the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit and caused damage in Bat Yam, central Israel. June 29, 2025.

Israel does the dirty work – and Europe fires back with sanctions - opinion

While Israel is fighting a war for its survival, Europe is distracting it on two levels - on the leadership level and on the people's level.

JUNE 24, 2025ByGOL KALEV
ON DAY ONE, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled Israel’s operation in Iran ‘concerning,’ characterized it as an escalation, and urged ‘all parties to step back and reduce tensions,’ the writer notes.

Germany's Merz sees no reason to criticize Israeli, US attacks on Iran

"There is no reason for us to criticize what Israel started a week ago, nor is there any reason to criticize what America did last weekend," Merz said. NATO's Rutte defended the US's attack as well.

JUNE 23, 2025ByREUTERS
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during an industrial sector association BDI event in Berlin, Germany, June 23, 2025.

Germany's Merz urges moderation in call with Netanyahu, source says

Germany plans to host nuclear talks with its European partners and the Iranian foreign minister at its permanent representation in Geneva.

JUNE 19, 2025ByREUTERS
Benjamin Netanyahu (R) hosts then-German Leader of the Opposition, Friedrich Merz, (L) in Jerusalem, February 12, 2024.

Merz: 'Israel is doing the dirty work for all of us by striking Iran, lacks necessary weapons'

German Chancellor Merz has praised Israel for doing the 'dirty work' for everyone, but said that Israel also lacked the necessary weapons.

JUNE 17, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
German conservative candidate for chancellor and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party leader Friedrich Merz attends a press conference following the German general election in Berlin, Germany, February 24, 2025.