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| Europe |
| 'We'll beg for the Iron Dome': Germany's Merz faces backlash over Israel arms embargo |
| 2025-08-12 |
| [Ynet] German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced sharp criticism, primarily from his own party and its voter base, after announcing on Friday a halt to arms exports to Israel that could be used in the Gaza war. Alexander Hoffmann, leader of the Christian Social Union (CSU) faction in Bavaria, a sister party to Merz’s conservatives, called the decision contentious and unilateral. "Our party wasn’t involved and it demands at least some explanation," Hoffmann said, adding that internal coalition discussions would follow in the coming days. Former Interior Minister and CSU honorary chairman Horst Seehofer labeled it a "misguided foreign policy mistake with far-reaching consequences." CSU parliamentarian Stefan Pilsinger echoed the sentiment, highlighting the benefits Germany reaps from security cooperation with Israel, particularly in air defense and intelligence. Berlin’s outgoing culture senator, Joe Chialo, also a party member, wrote in Bild that withholding arms from Israel is arrogant and hypocritical. "If Berlin or Munich were attacked, we’d beg for Iron Dome. This embargo betrays our core values," he warned. Online, users accused Merz of weakening Israel at a critical time, with some calling it a "blow to a democratic ally." Sven Mayer, a commenter, criticized Merz for abandoning his campaign promise to reverse the previous government’s anti-Israel stance, saying, "Now we’ve got Chancellor Friedrich Baerbock." |
| Posted by:Grom the Affective |
| #2 Thank you for being on top of that for us, Jarong. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2025-08-12 02:11 |
| #1 Fortunately the USA is holding strong. D and R both voted yesterday to continue lethal aid to Israel. Good to see Nevertrump and Dem traitors are good for something, at least. |
| Posted by: Jairong+Scourge+of+the+Gepids2435 2025-08-12 02:04 |