Germany marks anniversary as Merz affirms support for Israel

Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed Germany's support for Israel on Wednesday as the country marked the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks led by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

"Germany stands firmly by Israel's side. Our Israeli friends can count on our commitment to ensuring that such a crime is never repeated," Merz said.

"We stand for the security and existence of Israel - this is a lesson drawn from the Shoah and part of German identity."

Merz also called for efforts to lay the foundations for a new order in which Israelis, Palestinians and their neighbours can live in peace and security.

"We believe this goal can best be achieved through the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel," he said in a statement.

The chancellor also warned of rising anti-Semitism in Germany, saying it was too often allowed to go unchallenged.

"The federal government will do everything in its power to consistently combat anti-Semitism in all its new and old forms," Merz said, adding that Jews must be able to live without fear throughout Germany.

"And we will stand up to those who relativize or even question Israel's right to exist. Not only on October 7, but every day."

Merz said his thoughts on the anniversary were with the victims and their families, survivors and former hostages.

"And we hope that the deep pain and wounds inflicted by this day - by these monstrous, barbaric acts - can heal," he said.

Hamas and other militant groups killed around 1,200 people in Israel on October 7, 2023 and abducted more than 250 others to the Gaza Strip, triggering the Gaza war.

Commemorations in Berlin

A series of events are being held in Berlin on Wednesday to mark the anniversary.

Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt are due to speak at the main commemoration at Bebelplatz in central Berlin at 3 pm (1300 GMT).

An interfaith service is then to be held in the evening at Berlin's Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, led by Protestant Bishop Christian Stäblein, Catholic Archbishop Heiner Koch and Rabbi Andreas Nachama.

The Israeli flag is also to be projected onto the Brandenburg Gate from the evening until midnight.

The Bundestag is due to debate the protection of Jewish life in Germany during the afternoon.

Two anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations have also been announced, focusing on opposition to Israel's war in Gaza.