"The conservative German chancellor insisted that Germany stood "firmly" with Israel but described its military response in Gaza as "disproportionate". "Criticism of the Israeli government must be possible, but we must never allow it to be used to incite hatred against Jews," he said, adding that he and Sanchez agreed on this point. But unlike Sanchez, Merz avoided calling the Israeli offensive in Gaza a "genocide" and made clear that Germany currently had no plans to recognise a Palestinian state, as Spain has done."
""This is not on the agenda," he said. On proposed EU sanctions against Israel, Merz said Germany would finalise its position in the coming days and present it at an EU Council meeting on October 1st in Copenhagen. Sanchez, meanwhile, voiced his full support for the European Commission's proposed sanctions against Israel, warning that the country's Gaza offensive would leave it 'more isolated'."
Friedrich Merz and Pedro Sanchez acknowledged divergent views over the Gaza conflict following talks in Madrid. Merz affirmed that Germany stands firmly with Israel while describing the Israeli military response in Gaza as disproportionate. Merz emphasized that criticism of the Israeli government must be possible but must never be used to incite hatred against Jews. Merz avoided labeling the offensive a genocide and stated Germany currently has no plans to recognise a Palestinian state. Spain has recognised Palestine and Sanchez fully supports proposed European Commission sanctions, warning the offensive would further isolate Israel and citing humanitarian concerns.
Read at www.thelocal.com
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