Merz offers condolences to Herzog ahead of October 7 anniversary, as Sa’ar hosts German FM

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sends his condolences to President Isaac Herzog in a phone call a day before the second anniversary of the October 7 Hamas-led massacre and reaffirms his support for Israel’s participation in the Eurovision song contest, according to a readout from Herzog’s office.

“I deeply share your grief and the grief of your country,” Merz says in the Israeli readout.

Herzog thanks Merz for expressing his solidarity and for his statement yesterday that the chancellor would want Berlin to withdraw from the international competition if Israel were to be excluded from it at a European Broadcasting Union vote set to take place in November.

A growing list of countries has pledged not to participate in next year’s competition if Israel is allowed to compete, placing Jerusalem’s bid in significant doubt.

“I will do what I can to prevent any step against Israel. And as I said yesterday on German television — I cannot imagine Germany participating if the Israeli delegation were excluded. That is very clear to me,” Merz tells the president.

The call follows Merz’s conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, during which he praised Israel’s approval of the US plan for ending the war in Gaza, and takes place as German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visits the region.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar writes on X that he hosted Wadephul at his home in Israel earlier today, saying the two discussed the talks in Egypt on the implementation of the first phase of the US plan, “which both our countries support.”

“I informed him of Israel’s positions and our will to reach a quick conclusion that will ensure the release of all our hostages,” writes Sa’ar, adding that they also talked “about bilateral relations, Israel-EU relations and the ‘Snapback’ [sanctions mechanism] against Iran.”

Following Washington’s announcement of the plan last week, Wadephul stated that he would fly to multiple countries in the region in order to help facilitate its progress.

Glad to host my friend German FM @JoWadephul at my home.
We discussed the opening of the talks in Egypt on the implementation of the first phase of President Trump's Plan, which both our countries support.
I informed him of Israel’s positions and our will to reach a quick… pic.twitter.com/IrsWwXMAwV

— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) October 6, 2025

Advertisement

Wadephul says that the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plans to halt the war in Gaza must be achieved by the start of next week at the latest, but adds that all the other issues would need time.

The first phase aims at a ceasefire, release of hostages and prisoners, restraint in the military conflict and bringing in supplies to Gaza – all of which are feasible, said Wadephul.

“All other issues are very complicated and, indeed, that is why they also need time,” says Wadephul at a press conference with Sa’ar in Tel Aviv.

“We must not abandon all diplomatic efforts, but I would like to focus now on taking this first decisive step together.”