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News Topical, Digital Desk : In a unique moment in world politics, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said at the G7 summit that Israel was doing "dirty things" to all of us. This statement was made when asked about the Iran-Israel war.
This was considered a very harsh and direct statement for Germany. But it made a profound point: today, Germany is relying for its security on the very Jews whom the Nazi regime once sought to exterminate.
Germany to increase defense spending
Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU party, announced that Germany would build the strongest military in Europe. For decades, Germany's military faced criticism for poor investment, sometimes even lacking real guns for its soldiers. Now, the Merz government has implemented reforms that could make defense spending virtually unlimited.
The government is also introducing legislation to re-enlist young people in the military through a lottery system, and a major equipment purchase worth 377 billion euros is underway for the German military. Most surprisingly, Germany is basing a significant portion of its new military power on Israeli missiles, drones, and air defense systems.
Big revelation from leaked documents
According to leaked documents, 700 million euros are earmarked for self-detonating drones from the Israeli company Elbit . Another 100 million euros are for Israeli ammunition, which will be used in the Heron drones. Germany and Israel recently signed a 2 billion euro Spike anti-tank missile deal, considered one of Israel's largest in Europe.
The recent arrest of three suspected members in Berlin also took place with the help of the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad. Mossad stated that the raid was possible because of its extensive operations in Europe. In 2023, Germany also purchased the Arrow-3 missile defense system from Israel for 4 billion euros, which can intercept intercontinental missiles from countries like Russia.
Israeli defense officials said the change represents a reversal of history, where once German technology was used to kill Jews, now Israeli technology is protecting Germans.
What did Israel say?
" Germany's confidence in our capabilities is a message of leaving behind the pain of history, and we are proud that our systems are becoming part of Germany's new army, " said Major General Amir Baram of the Israeli Defense Ministry.
Friedrich Merz's emotional connection to the Holocaust is also deep, as his maternal grandfather was a member of the Nazi Party and was involved in naming decisions such as " Adolf-Hitler-Street " in his city . Merz recently broke down in tears while giving a speech at the reopening of a Munich synagogue that had been destroyed during Nazi violence.
Merz's pro-Israel stance has also drawn criticism in Germany. The government is accused of being lenient toward Israel's actions in Gaza. In August, Germany temporarily halted the supply of weapons to Gaza. Merz then stated that he found it increasingly difficult to justify the growing devastation in Gaza.
Israel responds to criticism of the merger
Nevertheless, Israel took his criticism in a friendly tone. Israel's Berlin ambassador said, " When friends like Merz criticize, we listen carefully. "
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