Israel is “looking forward” to German chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz assuming office, Israel’s ambassador in Berlin has said, anticipating close diplomatic support from the center-right politician.

“We’re looking forward to having him as chancellor,” said Ron Prosor, speaking to the Times of Israel by phone last week. “Germany at the end of the day is the second most important strategic partner in all dimensions.”

In the wake of the Holocaust, Germany emerged as one of Israel’s closest diplomatic and security allies.

Friedrich Merz and the center-right CDU/CSU political alliance came out first in Germany’s political elections last month, and are in the process of putting together a coalition.

“Friedrich Merz is clear on this,” said Prosor. “He says Germany will not [enact] any weapons embargo on Israel. Israel has a right to defend itself, and Germany would support that.”

During a speech at the Körber Foundation in Berlin last month, Merz criticized the Olaf Scholz government for what he claimed was an arms embargo against Israel amid its war against Hamas in Gaza.

“I will put an end to what is more or less an export embargo under the current government. We will say that whatever Israel needs to exercise its right to self-defense, they will get,” said Merz.

In October, Merz accused Scholz’s government of delaying arms exports to Israel, after a significant drop in weapons shipments was noted in 2024 compared with 2023.

“He also came out publicly and said that he’s going to invite Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu for a visit in Germany” despite an International Criminal Court warrant for his arrest, Prosor noted.

“I told him that we should see each other soon after the government is formed,” Merz said of his call with Netanyahu after winning the election. “In the event that he plans to........

© The Times of Israel