Friedrich Merz Invites Israeli PM to Germany
Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (cdu) leader Friedrich Merz phoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday night. This was after the cdu won that day’s German federal election. Merz is the front-runner to become Germany’s next chancellor.
According to a press release from the Israeli government, Netanyahu and Merz had a “warm conversation.” Netanyahu “congratulated [Merz] on his victory” while Merz told Netanyahu “he would invite him to make an official visit to Germany.”
“I think it is a completely absurd idea that an Israeli prime minister cannot visit the federal republic of Germany,” Merz later confirmed in a press conference. He said he assured Netanyahu that “we would find ways and means for him to visit Germany and leave again without being arrested.”
Ignoring the icc: The International Criminal Court (icc) has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu. The court accuses him and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of war crimes in the Israel-Gaza War.
Most countries are member states of the court and technically obligated to arrest Netanyahu if he enters their territory. Some leaders, like current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have indicated they wouldn’t follow through. But Merz has been far more outspoken against and publicly defiant of the order.
The offer’s rapidity suggests Merz values a partnership with Netanyahu and is unafraid to snub the icc to support Israel.
That the call took place mere hours after Merz’s election victory shows the state of German-Israeli relations.
Prophesied betrayal: Early on in Israel’s war against Hamas, while much of the world labeled Israel as an aggressor, Germany publicly stood by Israel and remained a reliable partner throughout the war. Israel may look to Germany and Europe to fortify its security. But this misguided trust will lead to the greatest security breach in its history.
Daniel 11 describes a clash between “the king of the north” and “the king of the south.” Biblical and secular records show the king of the north to be a rising European power led by Germany. The king of the south is a radical Islamist bloc led by Iran. Both powers are interested in controlling Jerusalem.
Daniel 11:40 states that the king of the north “shall enter also into the glorious land,” or the Holy Land.
Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry writes in his free booklet The King of the South:
The Hebrew indicates this is a peaceful entry—not forced. The Jews appear to invite them in as peacekeepers. After war explodes in the Middle East, there will probably be a thunderous call for a peacekeeper in Jerusalem. The king of the north will no doubt take the job. But it leads to a great double cross ….
The seeds of this double cross are being planted. Israel trusted Scholz’s government, and it looks like it might trust a Merz government even more.
