Politics1 min read

Watch: German Chancellor Merz links criticism of Israel to antisemitism

By · Via Middle East Eye · Published by Everything Blog

In short

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz affirmed that Germany stands firmly alongside Israel during an address marking the 20th anniversary of Munich's Ohel Jakob Synagogue. During his speech, Merz explicitly connected modern criticism of Israel and the language of anti-colonial liberation struggles to antisemitic ideology. He further warned that antisemitism has resurged and is once again omnipresent in contemporary society.

Key points

  • The German government continues to affirm its firm commitment to standing steadfastly alo…: The German government continues to affirm its firm commitment to standing steadfastly alongside the state of Israel.
  • Rhetoric framing opposition to Israel as an anti-colonial liberation struggle is being ca…: Rhetoric framing opposition to Israel as an anti-colonial liberation struggle is being categorized by German leadership as antisemitism.
  • German authorities are warning the public that antisemitic sentiment has experienced a re…: German authorities are warning the public that antisemitic sentiment has experienced a resurgence across contemporary society.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

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Watch: German Chancellor Merz links criticism of Israel to antisemitism

10 November 2026 04:49 GMT

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that the country "stands steadfastly by Israel’s side".

Speaking during a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Ohel Jakob Synagogue, Merz told the audience that much of "the language of anti-colonial liberation struggles or criticism of Israel" qualifies as "antisemitism', which he said "is once again omnipresent today",

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz linked some anti-colonial and anti-Israel rhetoric to antisemitism during a speech at Munich’s Ohel Jakob Synagogue, declaring that Germany “stands steadfastly by Israel’s side”. https://t.co/KQh4hL9AEH

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) November 10, 2026

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