After the alleged attack on Iran, CDU leader Friedrich Merz supports Israel's self-defense in the Mideast. The Chancellor warns of an escalation.
"The right to exist of the State of Israel is the basic prerequisite for peace to emerge in the Mideast," Merz said. "Iran has sole and exclusive control over whether this conflict expands or not." Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) did not announce such clear divisions of roles. "Nobody has an interest in the conflict in the MIDDLE EAST escalating," Merz told the German Press Agency. The G7 nations urged all parties involved to work to prevent escalation. Germany's leading index Dax fell by 0.94 percent to 17,670.34 points. The airline Lufthansa was also nervous: it and its subsidiaries Swiss and AUA canceled all flights to Israel on Friday. The President of the German-Israeli Society, Volker Beck, spoke of a "measured reaction with a strong warning" after Israel's alleged attack on Isfahan. He sees the strike in central Iran as an Israeli signal to the mullahs' regime: "We can hit you, we can hit you hard, and we can hitting you anywhere. Don't test us again.'' The extent to which Germany can exert diplomatic influence on Israel is currently unclear. A few days ago, there was said to be a dispute between Foreign Minister Baerbock and Prime Minister Netanyahu. The G7 statement underlines that Israel and its people have "the full solidarity and support" of the nations.