Majority of Germans call for stronger stance on 'Israel', poll finds

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Aug 2025 17:48
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A new poll shows that 66% of Germans want their government to increase diplomatic pressure on "Israel".

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Demonstrators chant slogans against Berlin's support for "Israel" in the Gaza war during a protest past the German consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, April 23, 2024 (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

A new DeutschlandTrend survey reveals that a strong majority of Germans favor increased diplomatic pressure on "Israel" over its actions in the Gaza Strip, amid growing political and public debate over Berlin's stance.

Conducted by the Infratest Dimap Institute for public broadcaster ARD between August 4 and 6, the poll asked 1,321 respondents whether "the German government should put more pressure on the Israeli government to change its stance on the Gaza Strip." Two-thirds, namely 66 percent, agreed, while only 24 percent disagreed.

The survey also found that 62 percent of respondents reject the idea that "Germany bears a greater responsibility than other countries for the protection of Israel due to its historical past," with just 31 percent supporting that view.

The results come as Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government faces mounting calls at home and abroad to reassess its support for "Israel," particularly in light of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. On Friday, Merz announced that Germany would suspend the approval of any military exports "that could be used in the Gaza Strip," citing "the Israeli government's recent decision to expand its military offensive and occupy Gaza City."

For months, Merz had been pressured, from opposition lawmakers, EU partners, and rights groups, to halt weapons sales to "Israel" and to reconsider the bloc's trade agreement with Tel Aviv. His reversal follows reports of severe hunger among children in Gaza and the growing death toll from nearly two years of siege and bombardment, which has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, almost half of them women and children.

The shift also reflects broader tensions within Germany's governing coalition. Merz's decision angered the Christian Social Union (CSU), which maintains close ties with "Israel" and was not consulted beforehand. Meanwhile, Social Democratic Party (SPD) partners have long urged stronger action to confront what they describe as "inhumane" policies in Gaza, a position now shared by most of the German public, according to the new poll.