Israel’s ambassador to Germany has publicly condemned a senior Israeli cabinet minister’s inflammatory remarks directed at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, describing them as a distortion of Holocaust memory. The dispute unfolded amid escalating tensions over settlement policies and regional security concerns.
Ron Prosor, Israel’s envoy in Berlin, issued a rare rebuke of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich following the latter’s comments accusing Merz of moralizing and invoking historical German oppression. The conflict was triggered after Merz expressed apprehension about Israeli settlement expansions in the occupied West Bank and called for a halt to military actions in southern Lebanon.
In a statement released after a phone conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Merz’s office articulated “deep concern about developments in the Palestinian territories” and emphasized that any “de facto annexation” of the West Bank should be prevented. The German chancellor’s remarks reflect Berlin’s longstanding policy of opposing settlement growth and advocating for Palestinian rights.
Smotrich responded with a vigorous social media post on X, linking Merz’s intervention to the Nazi regime’s persecution of Jews. He asserted that the German chancellor should apologize “a thousand times on behalf of Germany” rather than advising Israel on security matters. Smotrich’s language likened those critical of Israeli policies to the “Nazis of our generation” and rejected any suggestion that Jews could be confined as they were during the Holocaust. His comments are viewed by many as an attempt to equate Palestinian militants with the Nazis, a parallel widely criticized for oversimplification and insensitivity.
Prosor characterized Smotrich’s statements as damaging and misleading. Speaking to Israeli public radio, he acknowledged the legitimacy of political debate with Germany but stressed that Germany remains Israel’s closest friend in Europe, despite occasional disagreements. Prosor emphasized the special historical bond underpinning German-Israeli relations and the significance of Holocaust Remembrance Day as a time for solemn reflection rather than political confrontation.
The episode underscores growing friction between Israel’s right-wing government and Germany, a key European ally. German officials have expressed unease over Israeli settlement activities championed by figures like Smotrich, who openly identifies as a “fascist homophobe” and has advocated harsh responses to Palestinian attacks. Relations were further strained last year when Merz announced restrictions on arms exports to Israel due to humanitarian concerns in Gaza, provoking criticism from Israeli leaders including Netanyahu.
In recent months, diplomatic exchanges have become increasingly tense, with Israel accusing German diplomats of bias and fixation on settlers, while Germany continues to call for restraint and adherence to international law. The current row heightens the challenge of maintaining cooperative ties amidst contrasting political agendas and deep historical sensitivities.