German Chancellor to Visit Israel After Arms Embargo Eased

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Israel in January 2026, becoming the first European head of state to visit since the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to a report by Ynet.

The visit comes on the heels of a significant policy shift by the German government, which recently lifted a partial suspension on arms exports to Israel. The move follows the stabilization of the ceasefire and marks a renewed commitment to Berlin’s defense relationship with the Jewish state.

Germany had temporarily halted some arms deliveries in August, citing rising domestic pressure amid the conflict in Gaza. However, officials clarified that the suspension only applied to weapon systems potentially used in Gaza, while systems critical to Israel’s external defense remained unaffected.

Now, with the ceasefire in effect, Berlin is resuming exports under a case-by-case review framework starting November 24. A German government spokesperson stated, “The government will, as a general rule, revert to case-by-case reviews in decisions on arms exports and respond to further developments.”

Germany is Israel’s second-largest arms supplier after the United States.

Chancellor Merz’s visit is expected to include meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials. The Prime Minister’s Office described their most recent conversation as “good and friendly,” noting discussions on political and regional issues.

Merz has previously voiced strong support for Israel. In June, during the G7 Summit, he remarked that “Israel is doing the dirty work for all of us” a comment that drew both criticism and praise across Europe but underscored his alignment with Israel’s security concerns.

The upcoming visit is seen in Jerusalem as a welcome sign of enduring ties between the two nations, even amid occasional political turbulence. Germany remains a critical ally in both defense and diplomacy, and Merz’s arrival could signal broader European re-engagement in the region.

With arms exports back on track and diplomatic channels reactivated, Israel and Germany appear poised to reinforce their longstanding strategic partnership.

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