German chancellor reaffirms Israel's security remains 'part of Germany's reason of state'

Germany's new chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed that Israel’s security and existence remain part of the country's "reason of state,” during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a government spokesperson said on Friday.

“The chancellor strongly condemned Hamas's brutal terror attack of October 7 and expressed deep concern over the fate of hostages and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” spokesman, Stefan Kornelius said in a statemen.

Merz, who has long been a vocal supporter of Israel, criticised the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant for Netanyahu shortly after his election victory.

He told reporters that he would find "ways and means" to facilitate Netanyahu's potential visit to Berlin.