Merz urges two-state solution in Israel as Netanyahu holds firm

WISE NEWS PRESS / JERUSALEM, ISRAEL — DEC. 08, 2025

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for immediate negotiations toward a two-state solution during his inaugural visit to Israel, a proposal promptly rejected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their joint press conference.

While Merz emphasized that an independent Palestinian state offers the best hope for the future, the meeting highlighted the diverging strategic visions between Berlin and Tel Aviv regarding the post-war landscape, even as defense ties between the two nations deepen.

Diverging views on Palestine

Speaking after his meeting with Netanyahu, Merz stated his conviction that "permanent peace is possible" in the region despite sporadic setbacks in the Gaza ceasefire. He argued that establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel presents the "strongest ray of hope" for the future. Merz stressed that such a solution requires negotiations, adding that "these negotiations are necessary right now".

Netanyahu, however, firmly dismissed the concept of full Palestinian sovereignty. While acknowledging the potential for a "functioning peace" with Palestinian neighbors and broader peace with Arab states, the Israeli Prime Minister declared, "We will not establish a state right on our doorstep that is dedicated to our destruction".

Defense cooperation and historic shifts

Despite political disagreements, both leaders highlighted the strength of bilateral relations. Netanyahu pointed to a "historic transformation" in the relationship, specifically referencing the deployment of the Israeli-made Arrow 3 missile defense system in Germany.

"It is not only the German state working for Israel's defense; Israel, the Jewish state, is also working for Germany's defense 80 years after the Holocaust," Netanyahu said, describing this reciprocity as a historic shift in an era of global turmoil.

Merz acknowledged that his visit comes during a "complex period" for Israel and noted that the Gaza war had placed the German government in a "dilemma," alluding to previous tensions over temporary arms embargoes. Earlier in the day, Merz visited the Yad Vashem memorial to honor the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis, reaffirming Germany's enduring historical responsibility toward Israel.

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