The SPD parliamentary group is demanding a change of course in Germany's Israel policy. It calls on the federal government to join the Gaza peace appeal of 29 states. The CDU/CSU, on the other hand, defends the non-signature.

Voices within the SPD are growing louder calling for a change of course in Germany's dealings with Israel.

It is time"for the federal government to join the initiatives at the European level," declared Adis Ahmetović, foreign policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, and SPD MP Rolf Mützenich, according to a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung. According to the newspaper, the statement is supported by the SPD parliamentary group.

On Monday, the foreign ministers of 29 countries, including France and Great Britain, called for an immediate end to the Gaza war – this is what the SPD MPs are now referring to.

The SPD parliamentary group also demanded that the federal government enforce a halt to arms exports to the Israeli government. This is necessary"in order to consistently fulfill our responsibility under international law, which is enshrined in our constitution," the statement continued. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic and represents a humanitarian abyss.

Union defends decision

The foreign policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Jürgen Hardt, defended the decision not to sign the declaration."The Federal Foreign Minister did not sign the declaration because it only reinforces the perceived isolation of the Israeli government," Hardt told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is working tirelessly to improve the catastrophic situation in Gaza, using all channels.

Hardt added, however, that"it must be a sign to the Israeli government that so many friends, and I include the SPD in this, want to express their frustration over the deaths in Gaza through sanctions because they are no longer being heard in Jerusalem." Reliable UN access for aid supplies to the Gaza Strip is needed, he emphasized.

Merz sees no differences

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the coalition was"completely united" on policy toward Israel and the Gaza Strip."Therefore, there are no differences of opinion on the matter or the procedure. Quite the opposite: The call for the Israeli government to immediately end these massive bombardments of the Gaza Strip and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid is the common policy of the coalition in Berlin," said the CDU chairman.

With regard to the demand of the 29 EU member states, Merz pointed out that there was already a joint declaration from the last EU summit. This was"practically identical in content" to what was expressed in the current letter.

Miersch: Push for compliance with international law

SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch told the editorial network Germany that Germany bears a special responsibility for the security of Israel and the right of the Jewish state to exist, but also for compliance with international law and the protection of the Palestinian civilian population.

"This responsibility obliges us to insist on compliance with international humanitarian law, even in difficult moments, just as we do in other conflicts." Miersch continued: "Double standards undermine our international credibility."

Alabali Radovan: Demand "understandable"

Federal Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan (SPD) also regrets that Germany has not joined the declaration of more than two dozen countries calling for an immediate end to the war in the Gaza Strip.

She described the letter's demands in the Rheinische Post as"understandable." "I would have liked Germany to join the 29 partners in their call," she emphasized."What is happening in Gaza right now is incomprehensible. Innocent children are dying. People are starving."

Alabali Radovan added: "What is needed now – not someday – is an immediate and lasting ceasefire."