Germany’s Merz Voices Concern Over West Bank Situation
German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius outlined the contents of the call in an official statement: "Chancellor Friedrich Merz spoke by phone today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the conversation, the chancellor expressed his deep concern about developments in the Palestinian territories. There must be no de facto partial annexation of the West Bank."
Berlin also pressed for a diplomatic resolution to the Lebanon conflict, with Kornelius adding: "The chancellor encouraged Prime Minister Netanyahu to begin direct peace talks with the Lebanese government. He called for an end to hostilities in southern Lebanon."
Merz's intervention was reinforced by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who echoed the call for restraint in a parallel phone conversation with his Lebanese counterpart Youssef Raggi. Wadephul framed the ongoing Washington talks as a pivotal opening, stating that "direct talks between Israel and Lebanon could be an important first step toward a future in which both are respected: Israel's legitimate security interests and Lebanon's right to territorial integrity and sovereignty."
The foreign minister laid out Berlin's dual expectations clearly: "Hezbollah's attacks on Israel must stop. We support Lebanon's exercise of the monopoly on the use of force throughout its territory and the disarmament of Hezbollah. At the same time, the Israeli army must protect the civilian population and civilian infrastructure," Wadephul added.
The diplomatic push comes as the human cost of the conflict continues to escalate. Since Israel launched its campaign against Lebanon following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran on Feb. 28, more than 2,000 people have been killed and over one million displaced.
A fragile opening for peace emerged last week after Pakistan brokered a ceasefire in the Iran war, with Lebanon and Israel subsequently agreeing to hold direct negotiations. Their first formal meeting is scheduled for Tuesday in Washington.
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