Germany’s Merz Faces Party Backlash Over Partial Israel Arms Embargo

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz faced significant backlash from his own conservative party after he partially suspended arms exports to Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. The decision, which marked the first effective sanctions on Israel during the current war, was criticized by many CDU/CSU members as a betrayal of a long-standing friendship and a strategic mistake, with some accusing Merz of making the decision unilaterally and without proper communication. Merz defended his move by emphasizing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need to avoid fueling a conflict that could result in high civilian casualties, a stance supported by his coalition partner, the Social Democratic Party. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the embargo, accusing Merz of yielding to internal and external pressures, and reaffirmed Israel's commitment to continue fighting Hamas regardless of international support. The internal discord highlighted the tension between Germany's traditional support for Israel and growing concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with calls from critics warning that the embargo sends a disastrous signal to a key democratic ally. Merz’s decision reflects a complex balancing act between upholding Germany’s foreign policy principles and responding to evolving geopolitical and humanitarian challenges.