German chancellor Friedrich Merz on Sunday defended halting some weapons deliveries to Israel amid mounting criticism of the move from some within his own ranks.
鈥楾he Federal Republic of Germany has stood by Israel鈥檚 side for 80 years,鈥� Merz told broadcaster ARD. 鈥楴othing about that will change.鈥�
鈥榃e will keep on helping this country to defend itself,鈥� he added.
Merz said Friday that Germany would halt the export of military equipment that could be used in the Gaza Strip in response to Israeli plans to take control of Gaza City.
Merz鈥檚 partial arms embargo sparked public criticism from members of Merz鈥檚 conservative CDU party, including its youth organisation which said the move broke with the core principles of Germany and the party.
The chancellor said he had reassured Israel鈥檚 president earlier on Sunday that Germany was not breaking with its traditional friendship with Israel.
鈥榃e have one point of disagreement and that concerns Israel鈥檚 military action in the Gaza Strip,鈥� he said. 鈥楾hat is something which a friendship can withstand.鈥�
Until recently Israel has enjoyed broad support across the political spectrum in Germany, a country still seeking to atone for its murder of more than six million Jews in World War II.
Unlike France, Britain and Canada, Germany has no plans to recognise a Palestinian state in September, arguing that recognition could come only at the end of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
But Merz鈥檚 tone towards Israel has sharpened in recent months as the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated, with United Nations experts warning that famine was taking hold in the war-ravaged territory.
He told ARD on Sunday that though Germany had solidarity with Israel, this did not mean that 鈥榳e have to think that every decision which a government reaches is good and support it to the point of offering military aid including weapons鈥�.
Israel鈥檚 22-month offensive has killed at least 61,430 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, figures the UN says are reliable.
The war was triggered by Hamas鈥檚 2023 attack on Israel which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.