Merkel Says Israel's Right to Exist Is Germany's Interest
The former German chancellor defended Israel's existence while questioning its disproportionate global attention compared with Yemen and Sudan.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Commentary
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Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel reaffirmed that Germany's raison d'état covers Israel's right to exist during an appearance on the KAFFEE UND FLUCHEN podcast on Friday. She also said neither Israel nor the Netanyahu government is beyond reproach.
Why it matters
Merkel's remarks restate a long-standing principle of German foreign policy while openly acknowledging criticism of Israeli conduct, a combination that shapes how European leaders discuss the Israel-Gaza conflict. Her comparison with Yemen and Sudan adds to ongoing debate over why some humanitarian crises receive far more international attention than others.
The remarks were made in a single podcast interview recorded on Friday, November 13, 2026, and no vote counts, funding amounts or policy deadlines were attached to them. Whether the comments reflect any shift in the current German government's position was not addressed in the source material.
The players
Angela Merkel
Former Chancellor of Germany who led the country from 2005 to 2021 and remains a prominent voice on European foreign policy.
Netanyahu government
The current Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose military and political decisions have drawn international scrutiny.
HonestReporting
A media watchdog organization that monitors coverage of Israel and publishes commentary on perceived bias in international reporting.
The details
In the KAFFEE UND FLUCHEN interview, Merkel said Israel had in some respects overreached and asked why the country draws more attention than catastrophes in Yemen and Sudan. She also noted that relatively little public criticism of Hamas surfaces inside Gaza, referencing the October 7 massacre launched by Hamas.
Timeline
October 7: Hamas launched the October 7 massacre.
Friday, November 13, 2026: Merkel's podcast remarks were recorded and released.
November 15, 2026: HonestReporting published its commentary on the remarks.
Political Context
The counter-argument from critics of Germany's Israel policy holds that unconditional support limits Berlin's ability to press for Palestinian rights and humanitarian access in Gaza. Merkel's remarks, which pair affirmation of Israel's existence with criticism of its government, reflect an attempt to hold both positions at once.
For readers following German or European politics, the remarks signal that mainstream leaders are openly distinguishing between support for Israel's existence and support for its current government's conduct. This distinction may influence how debates over sanctions, aid and diplomatic positions are framed in coming months.
The takeaway
Merkel's comments show that Germany's longstanding commitment to Israel's security can coexist with explicit criticism of Israeli policy and attention to other global crises. Readers tracking the issue should watch whether that dual framing shapes official German positions.
Further reading
For more analysis of how European leaders frame these positions, see Commentary in our politics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Israel Hayom English.
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