Merz to meet Netanyahu on December 7 during first Israel trip

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is travelling to Israel on December 6-7 for his first visit to the country, his spokesman confirmed on Friday.

Merz will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks on Sunday, with the focus on bilateral relations and "stabilizing the ceasefire in Gaza and other international issues."

The chancellor is set to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and lay a wreath, as well as holding informal talks with representatives of civil society groups.

Germany has been one of the strongest supporters of Israel among European countries since the war in Gaza began following the October 7, 2023, attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

A ceasefire has been in place since October 10.

Merz's inaugural visit is set to take place around seven months after he took office. In comparison, his predecessor Olaf Scholz travelled to the country after just three months in office.

Merz's decision earlier this year to suspend arms exports that could be used in the Gaza Strip led to friction with Netanyahu's administration.

Following the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Berlin announced several days ago that the partial embargo would be lifted. The decision took effect on Monday.