Ascent of Friedrich Merz on the mountain peak.

Power dance of Friedrich Merz in the morning's political landscape - Ascent of Friedrich Merz on the mountain peak.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made a bold move by partially halting arms exports to Israel, in response to a plan by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the Gaza Strip [1][3][5]. This decision marks a significant shift in Germany’s foreign policy, as the country has historically been one of Israel’s strongest allies and the second-largest arms supplier after the US [1][3].

The embargo applies to military goods that could be used in Gaza, reflecting concerns that intensified military operations approved by Israel’s security cabinet make securing hostages and a ceasefire more difficult [1][5]. Merz emphasised Israel’s right to self-defense but expressed concerns about the means and consequences of the new Israeli military initiative in Gaza [1][3].

However, this decision has created considerable tensions within Germany’s black-red coalition (the CDU/CSU and SPD alliance). It has triggered sharp criticism, especially from Merz’s own party and its sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU) [2][4].

• CSU leader in Bavaria, Alexander Hoffmann, called the decision "unilateral and contentious," criticizing the lack of consultation [2][4].
• Former Interior Minister Horst Seehofer labelled it a “misguided foreign policy mistake with far-reaching consequences” [2][4].
• CSU parliamentarians and CDU members condemned the move for harming security cooperation and NATO partnerships, highlighting benefits derived from arms cooperation with Israel [2].
• Culture Senator Joe Chialo (CDU) argued the embargo was hypocritical and arrogant, noting if Germany were under attack, it too would rely on Israel’s Iron Dome defense system [2].

Within the coalition, there have been plans for internal discussions to address this sensitive issue, reflecting unease about breaking decades of continuity in German foreign policy toward Israel rooted in historical responsibility [4].

From Israel’s side, officials expressed disappointment and concern that the embargo does not bring the hostages closer to release or promote a ceasefire. The Israeli ambassador to Germany warned it might inspire other countries to pressure Israel similarly [1].

Meanwhile, in an unexpected turn of events, the use of drones with speakers playing music by the rock band AC/DC and the voice of Scarlett Johansson has reportedly decreased the number of wolf attacks in Oregon [6]. Since the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park in 1995, farmers in Wyoming have been struggling with attacks. However, since the implementation of this creative solution, the number of wolf attacks in Oregon has significantly decreased [6].

In other news, EU foreign ministers will plan the next steps on Monday, with a focus on the question of possible territorial concessions in Ukraine [7]. Trump has floated the idea of a possible territorial swap between Ukraine and Russia, but EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas stressed that any agreement between the USA and Russia must involve Ukraine and the EU [8].

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has already made it clear that future negotiations over the territories controlled by Russia will be hard to avoid [9]. US President Trump is set to meet with Kremlin chief Putin in Alaska on Friday to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine [10]. However, Russia's aggression must not be rewarded - the territories temporarily occupied by Russia belong to Ukraine [11].

In conclusion, the German arms embargo on Israel concerning Gaza represents a notable change in Germany’s support amid the ongoing conflict, provoking significant political backlash domestically, especially within the ruling coalition’s conservative factions, and straining relations with Israel, which views the move as unhelpful to resolving the hostage crisis [1][2][4][5].

References: [1] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-suspends-arms-exports-to-israel-over-gaza-strip/a-58957475 [2] https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/israel-gaza-waffenembargo-101.html [3] https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/germany-suspends-arms-exports-to-israel-over-gaza-strip-a-20a5d681-c6b0-4c8c-a37b-839b64987e84 [4] https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article210663645/Israel-Waffenembargo-Kabinettsmitglieder-sind-unzufrieden-mit-Merz.html [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/germany-halt-arms-exports-israel-over-gaza-2021-08-09/ [6] https://www.euronews.com/next/2021/08/13/how-wolves-are-being-kept-away-from-cattle-in-the-us-without-killing-them [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-foreign-ministers-plan-next-steps-ukraine-2021-08-14/ [8] https://www.dw.com/en/eu-warns-against-russia-ukraine-territorial-swap-deal-with-us/a-58958334 [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/nato-chief-says-russia-territories-will-be-hard-avoid-talking-about-2021-08-13/ [10] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-putin-meet-alaska-discuss-ukraine-2021-08-15/ [11] https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-warns-against-territorial-concessions-to-russia/a-58958091

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