Merz Urges Israel to Uphold Justice amid Ongoing Palestinian Repression
jerusalem – During a visit to Israel, German CDU leader Friedrich Merz emphasized the necessity of justice and accountability regarding alleged human rights violations against Palestinians, even as a fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza. The call for action comes amid mounting international scrutiny of Israeli policies in both gaza and the west Bank.
Merz’s visit follows months of intense conflict and escalating concerns over the treatment of Palestinians. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports detail widespread allegations of crimes against humanity and potential acts of genocide committed by Israeli authorities in Gaza. These include the killing, starvation, and forcible displacement of tens of thousands of civilians, alongside the devastation of civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, shelters, aid worker locations, and journalist facilities.
HRW specifically cites an April 2024 strike that killed 106 civilians as a potential war crime, and details how starvation has been used as a weapon of war in Gaza since December 2023.A November 2024 HRW report accuses Israel of “forced displacement” of Palestinians in Gaza, characterizing the situation as ”hopeless, starving, and besieged.”
Beyond Gaza, HRW documents a surge in abuses in the West Bank, including forced displacement, excessive force, administrative detention, torture, the expansion of illegal settlements, and state-backed settler violence. These actions,HRW asserts,constitute crimes against humanity and form part of an ongoing system of apartheid and persecution,as detailed in a 2021 report.
Human Rights Watch has called for sanctions against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin netanyahu,and for him to be investigated and prosecuted for alleged crimes.
In light of these concerns, Merz’s message underscores a growing call for stronger international pressure on Israel. HRW advocates for Germany, and the EU more broadly, to end “business as usual” with Netanyahu and individuals sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of atrocities. Specific recommendations include halting weapons exports to Israel, imposing targeted sanctions against Israeli officials implicated in abuses, suspending preferential trade agreements, banning trade with illegal settlements, and committing to executing ICC arrest warrants.
