German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on September 18, 2025, during a joint press conference in Madrid with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, that Germany will decide on supporting European Union sanctions against Israel before the EU meeting in Copenhagen in October. Merz criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza as disproportionate to its stated objectives but rejected claims of genocide. He emphasized that Germany’s recognition of Palestinian statehood is not currently under discussion. Merz’s remarks highlight Germany’s growing willingness to critique Israel while remaining hesitant to impose punitive measures, given its historical responsibility toward the nation. The European Commission recently proposed suspending a trade arrangement affecting €5.8 billion ($6.87 billion) of Israeli exports due to the Gaza conflict, though the measure lacks sufficient EU support. Merz stated that Germany’s final stance would be determined in the coming days, with discussions at the federal cabinet level ahead of the October 1 informal council meeting. Germany’s special obligation to Israel, rooted in its Holocaust history, faces increasing strain as European concerns over the Gaza conflict intensify. The conflict has resulted in approximately 64,000 Palestinian casualties, with Israeli tanks advancing in Gaza City and communication lines severed, signaling an imminent escalation in ground operations.