German Chancellor Honors Holocaust Victims, Reaffirms Support for Israel at Yad Vashem

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Yad Vashem on Sunday during his first official trip to Israel since taking office in May, marking a solemn moment of remembrance and reaffirming Berlin’s enduring commitment to Israel’s security.

Wearing a kippah, Merz laid a wreath at the Holocaust memorial and toured the museum, the Hall of Names, and the Children’s Memorial alongside Yad Vashem chairman Dani Dayan. During a ceremony at the Ohel Yizkor, the German leader bowed his head and signed the guest book, writing that Germany “will keep alive the memory” of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.

“Germany must stand up for the existence and security of Israel,” Merz declared, directly connecting the legacy of the Shoah to Berlin’s ongoing moral and political obligations to the Jewish state.

Merz’s visit comes amid lingering tensions between Germany and Israel following months of conflict in Gaza and protests in Berlin against German arms shipments to the IDF. However, by visiting Yad Vashem, the chancellor sent a clear message that, despite political differences, Germany’s historic responsibility remains unchanged.

For many Israelis, the image of the German chancellor honoring Holocaust victims while Israel continues to face existential threats serves as a powerful symbol not just of remembrance, but of a living, vital security partnership grounded in history and shared values. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.