German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sharply condemned Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's calls for targeted killings in Gaza, with government spokesman Sebastian Hille calling the statements inhumane and a violation of international law. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil demanded serious evaluation of EU-level sanctions, while Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is examining national options.
The issue will be discussed at an informal EU foreign ministers meeting in early September, where EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will present new proposals. Any bloc-wide sanctions, which would include entry bans and asset freezes, require unanimous approval from member states — an effort the Czech Republic recently blocked.
Greens leader Franziska Brantner called for Germany to ban Ben Gvir's entry, noting Ireland, France, Spain and Slovenia have already done so. The meeting will also address responses to Israeli settlement policy in the West Bank.