Germany will decide whether to support sanctions against Israel ahead of the European Union (EU) meeting in Copenhagen in October, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday during a visit to Madrid.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Merz said Israel’s operations in Gaza were not proportional to its stated objectives, but Germany did not regard them as acts of genocide. He added that recognising Palestinian statehood was not currently on Germany’s agenda.
Merz’s comments indicate that while Germany is open to criticising Israel, it remains hesitant to take punitive measures against the country.
The European Commission on Wednesday proposed suspending a trade agreement covering €5.8 billion of Israeli exports due to the Gaza conflict. However, the measure currently lacks sufficient support among EU member states.
Merz stated: “We will revisit these issues at the federal cabinet level next week and aim to present Germany’s final position at the informal Council meeting in Copenhagen on 1 October.”
Germany maintains it has a special responsibility towards Israel, though the death of nearly 64,000 Palestinians in the Gaza conflict has caused concern across Europe.
Meanwhile, Israeli tanks are advancing in two key areas leading to Gaza City’s centre, and internet and phone lines have been cut, signalling a likely escalation of ground operations.
Sudan on Sunday restarted domestic passenger flights to Khartoum International Airport for the first time since the war erupted in April 2023, as a Su...
Russian drone strikes hit civilian sites across several Ukrainian regions overnight and on Sunday, leaving at least 12 people dead and more than a doz...
A freight train carrying with Russian grain has departed from Bilajari station in Azerbaijan, heading to Armenia via transit routes through Georgia....
Dmitry Medvedev said European countries have failed to defeat Russia in Ukraine and have instead inflicted serious economic damage on themselves, as h...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has begun negotiations with European leaders over Greenland and that an agreement ...
Sudan on Sunday restarted domestic passenger flights to Khartoum International Airport for the first time since the war erupted in April 2023, as a Sudan Airways plane arrived from Port Sudan, state media reported.
Russian drone strikes hit civilian sites across several Ukrainian regions overnight and on Sunday, leaving at least 12 people dead and more than a dozen injured, Ukrainian officials said.
A freight train carrying with Russian grain has departed from Bilajari station in Azerbaijan, heading to Armenia via transit routes through Georgia.
Dmitry Medvedev said European countries have failed to defeat Russia in Ukraine and have instead inflicted serious economic damage on themselves, as he criticised EU policy, praised Donald Trump as a leader who seeks peace, and said Russia would “soon” achieve military victory in the war.
Catherine O’Hara, the celebrated Canadian actress and comedy legend, has died at the age of 71, her publicist confirmed on Friday. She passed away at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness.
Newly released Epstein files name French President Emmanuel Macron among figures referenced in millions of disclosed documents.
The United Nations faces the risk of “imminent financial collapse” because of unpaid contributions, including substantial arrears from the United States, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned.
Vladimir Putin said Russia earned more than $15 billion from defence exports in 2025 and fulfilled all military-technical contracts despite what he described as growing pressure from Western countries.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to shape regional tensions in the Middle East, particularly among key powers such as Israel and Türkiye, according to political analyst Dr Zaur Gasimov.
At least 32 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip late Friday and into Saturday, according to Palestinian sources, as Israel and Hamas traded accusations over an alleged breach of the ceasefire.
Sudan on Sunday restarted domestic passenger flights to Khartoum International Airport for the first time since the war erupted in April 2023, as a Sudan Airways plane arrived from Port Sudan, state media reported.
Russian drone strikes hit civilian sites across several Ukrainian regions overnight and on Sunday, leaving at least 12 people dead and more than a dozen injured, Ukrainian officials said.
Dmitry Medvedev said European countries have failed to defeat Russia in Ukraine and have instead inflicted serious economic damage on themselves, as he criticised EU policy, praised Donald Trump as a leader who seeks peace, and said Russia would “soon” achieve military victory in the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has begun negotiations with European leaders over Greenland and that an agreement is already taking shape.
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