Germany updates: Merz meets Jordan's King over Gaza airlift – DW – 07/29/2025
Friedrich Merz is meeting King Abullah II of Jordan in Berlin on Tuesday, a day after the Chancellor said his government would work with Amman to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Israel has been facing mounting international pressure to ease restrictions on aid supplies amid growing concerns that starvation is spreading in the besieged enclave.
According to a new survey, nearly three-quarters of Germans believe that the government should apply more pressure on Israel to address the devastating humanitarian situation and end the conflict in Gaza.Around three-quarters of Germans believe that thier country should exert more pressure on Israel to address the devastating humanitarian situation unfolding in the Gaza Strip.
According to a Forsa survey commissioned by magazine published on Tuesday, 74% of respondents would like to see the federal government take a tougher stance towards Israel over its conflict against Hamas in Gaza.
The survey reveals a clear divide in opinion based on political affiliation: some 94% of Left Party voters and 88% of Green Party voters are in favor of exerting more pressure on Israel.
Among supporters of the ruling center-right CDU/CSU and center-left SPD (Social Democrats) parties, 77% want the German government to do more to force Israel to ease the catastrophic humanitarian situation and end the war.
The strongest rejection of increased diplomatic pressure against Israel comes among supporters of the right-wing extremist AfD (Alternative for Germany) party, with 37% against applying more pressure.
Still, a majority of 61% of AfD voters are in favor of Germany taking a tougher stance towards Israel.
Germany is one of Israel's staunchest international backers, and defending the security and existence of the State of Israel is one of Germany's "reasons of state."
Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz is hosting Jordan's King Abdullah II in Berlin on Tuesday.
According to Jordanian authorities, they will focus on strengthening the two countries' bilateral ties, as well on discussing "the most pressing developments in the region."
The meeting is being held the day after Merz said Berlin wants to set up an airlift to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza, with the support of Jordan.
"We know that this can only be a very small help for the people in Gaza," Merz said Monday, adding it is "a contribution we are happy to make."
Jordan has acted as a hub for deliveries of aid and supplies, parachuting food into the Strip over the past two days since Israel announced a "tactical pause" in fighting against Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Calls from the international community have been growing for Israel to do more to address the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, where many civilians are facing starvation, according to the United Nations, the World Health Organization and aid groups.
While Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Sunday that "there is no starvation in Gaza," a day later US President Donald Trump contradicted the Israeli leader, saying there is "real starvation" in the besieged enclave and that "we have to get the kids fed."To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
from a rather gray Bonn!
We will bring you the latest as Chancellor Friedrich Merz meets Jordan's King Abdullah II in Berlin, with the pair expected to discuss their plans to airlift aid to Gaza.
As international pressure grows on Israel to allow more humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip, the German government is also facing mounting pressure domestically to do more to force Israel to allow more supplies into the Palestinian enclave and end the conflict.
Follow DW for reports, analyses and explainers on these and other stories to keep you up-to-date with all the topics currently making the news in Germany on Tuesday, July 29.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
DW
3 hours ago
- DW
Ukrainian refugee aid across Europe compared – DW – 08/05/2025
German politicians are debating whether to slash financial assistance for Ukrainian refugees. How does the country stack up against its EU neighbors when it comes to generosity in helping those fleeing war? Markus Söder, premier of Bavaria, Germany's largest state, wants to do away with current rules governing access to aid money for Ukrainian refugees living in Germany. The head of the Christian Social Union (CSU), part of Germany's conservative CDU/CSU union, is of the opinion that Ukrainian refugees should get less money in general — no matter if they are new arrivals or have been living in Germany for years. Söder's proposal far exceeds the changes promised in the CDU/CSU's coalition agreement, which it signed with the Social Democrats (SPD) in May to form the current government. In the contract — which forms the basis for the coalition's existence — signatory parties agreed to cut financial assistance to new Ukrainian refugees applying for asylum in the country. The coalition agreement, however, explicitly exempted cuts for Ukrainian refugees already living in Germany. To date, Ukrainian refugees fleeing to Germany have all been afforded so-called citizens' money [Bürgergeld] payments, meaning they receive the same amount of welfare assistance that an unemployed German would. For single adults, that means a sum of €563 ($650) each month. Further, German taxpayers cover the cost of rent and health insurance for their guests. In all, that means Germany is among the most financially generous countries when it comes to assistance for Ukrainians forced to flee their homes because of war. Unlike others, Ukrainian refugees are also given permission to immediately enter the German labor market upon arrival. Bavaria's Söder now wants to slash that assistance to people applying for asylum. That would mean a monthly stipend between €353 and €441 for single adults, depending on their living situation. Families would also receive between €299 and €391 monthly for each child they have, with payments varying according to age. The European Union (EU) classifies Ukrainian refugees as individuals "deserving of temporary protection" under a mechanism established in 2001. These guidelines were activated for the first time in 2022, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The guidelines stipulate that EU host countries must provide refugees, in this case Ukrainians, with access to housing, employment and health care. The guidelines do not, however, define the value of those payments and/or services, leading to great disparities across the 27-member bloc. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Poland does not hand out monthly payments and Warsaw has even gone so far as to do away with its previous one-time payment of roughly €70 for each adult refugee arriving from Ukraine. Ukrainian refugees in Poland are instead given a personal identification number, giving them access to jobs, education and free health care. Ukrainian parents are given a monthly €190 payment for their first child, with smaller payments for each child after that. Parents caring for children with a disability or those with chronic illnesses may also apply for welfare assistance. In Hungary, the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban — known for his anti-immigrant sentiments — tightened rules defining which Ukrainian refugees it feels are "deserving of temporary protection." Western Ukraine, for instance, is now viewed as a safe place of origin in the eyes of Hungary's lawmakers, meaning refugees hailing from those parts have no right to free housing at state-run refugee facilities. The international NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) decried the move, saying it put thousands of Ukrainians on the streets. Adult refugees considered worthy of protection are afforded a €55 monthly payment as well as about €34 a month for each child in their family. In Belgium, single adult refugees from Ukraine receive approximately €1,100 per month in assistance, the highest rate in the EU. Moreover, they receive publicly funded health insurance and have the right to publicly funded housing. Furthermore, refugees can apply for financial assistance for the acquisition of furniture, clothing, medical necessities (including glasses) and food. Ukrainian refugees in Sweden do not receive monthly stipends but daily cash allotments. Adults can receive up to about €180-€190 by month's end but only if they have no other income. Payment for children adds up to roughly €140 per month. Additional funds are available for items such as winter clothing or baby carriages. Ukrainian refugees theoretically have access to funds for things like glasses, yet they generally only have the right to medical assistance in emergency situations or in the case of care that cannot be delayed. The United Kingdom (UK) must no longer adhere to EU rules since it famously left the bloc during the so-called Brexit. There, the government allots Ukrainian refugee families about €30 each week for their eldest child, with another €20 a week for all others. Additional payments are provided to assist in covering childcare costs for those children too young to attend school. Retirees (from age 66 for females, 67 for males) are eligible for payments of up to €230 a week. Rules governing adult refugees who have yet to reach retirement age are more complicated and must often be calculated on an individual basis. One assistance program, Homes for Ukraine, is designed to help Ukrainians find living accommodation with UK citizens, for example. The program pays out a roughly €230 one-time payment to refugees, while at the same time it sets up a €400 monthly payment for individuals hosting them — these hosts must also vouch for the refugees they house. Lastly, the UK's "Universal Credit" program provides further financial support to refugees only if their savings fall below a certain threshold. The amount of money they can receive and what it can be used for depends on the refugee in question and their current financial situation. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
DW
3 hours ago
- DW
Ukraine's Zelenskyy talks to Trump on sanctions, drone deal – DW – 08/05/2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he had a "productive" call with Donald Trump, covering sanctions and a major drone deal. Meanwhile, Russian attacks on Ukraine killed six. DW has more. President Zelenskyy said he discussed sanctions, Russian strikes, and a major drone production deal with the US president. Trump has reportedly given Putin until August 8 to make peace or face harsher sanctions, with Zelenskyy saying Moscow is already feeling the pressure. Ukraine has been ready to finalize what Zelenskyy called one of the strongest drone deals yet, as Kyiv leans more on foreign defense investment. Meanwhile, President Trump has said that declining global energy prices could pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he held a "productive" call with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, focusing on ending the war, sanctions against Russia, and a planned US-Ukraine drone production deal. Zelenskyy posted on X that Trump was "fully informed" about ongoing Russian strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. The conversation came amid growing frustration from Trump toward Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has given Putin until August 8 to make peace or face tougher sanctions. "Of course, we spoke about sanctions against Russia," said Zelenskyy. "Their economy continues to decline, and that's exactly why Moscow is so sensitive to this prospect and President Trump's resolve. This can change a lot." Zelenskyy also said Ukraine was prepared to finalize a drone production deal with the US, calling it "one of the strongest agreements" of its kind. "The draft agreement on drones has already been prepared by the Ukrainian side, we are ready to discuss it in detail and conclude it," Zelenskyy said. Kyiv is increasingly turning to foreign investment to build up its domestic defense industry. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video US President Donald Trump has said that declining global energy prices could pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the war in Ukraine. "If energy goes down enough, Putin is going to stop killing people," Trump told CNBC on Tuesday. "If you get energy down another $10 a barrel, he's going to have no choice because his economy stinks." Trump set an August 8 deadline for Putin to move toward ending the war or face tougher US sanctions. His administration has also ramped up pressure on India and China to stop buying Russian oil. The US president said falling oil prices were driven by increased production worldwide, including by OPEC and allied countries. "If you notice OPEC and OPEC+, they're drilling more because I think they want me happy," Trump said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video US President Donald Trump has repeated his threat to sharply raise tariffs on Indian goods within the next 24 hours, citing the country's continued oil trade with Russia. "We settled on 25% but I think I'm going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they're buying Russian oil," Trump told broadcaster CNBC on Tuesday. "They're fueling the war machine," he added. "And if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy." Trump's remarks come ahead of the deadline he set for Russia to reach a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine. That 10-day window, which began last Tuesday, is set to expire soon. If no agreement is reached, Trump said he plans to impose sanctions on Russia's trading partners, including India. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Russian strikes across eastern Ukraine have killed six people and wounded at least a dozen more, Ukrainian authorities said on Tuesday, as Moscow ramps up attacks ahead of a looming US deadline for peace progress. "Russian terrorists inflicted a massive strike on the railway infrastructure of Lozova," Ukrainian Railways said in a Telegram post. Among the dead was a railway mechanic. A passenger train was left mangled and scorched, and the station building was partly destroyed. Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synegubov confirmed two deaths in Lozova and said several trains had been rerouted. President Volodymyr Zelensky said 25 Shahed drones hit the city, damaging civilian infrastructure including a depot and station, with 10 people injured. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia fired 46 attack drones and one ballistic missile in the barrage. Lozova Mayor Sergiy Zelenskyy called it "the most massive attack" on the city since the war began. Elsewhere, two people were killed in Sumy region at an agricultural facility, and two more died in Zaporizhzhia when a Russian drone hit a house, officials said.
DW
4 hours ago
- DW
Germany: AfD-linked China espionage trial opens in Dresden – DW – 08/05/2025
A former aide to far-right AfD politician Maximilian Krah has gone on trial accused of spying for China since 2002. Prosecutors say the case reveals espionage targeting German political, economic, and military affairs. A court in the eastern city of Dresden began the trial of two people suspected of spying for China. One of the defendants, a former assistant to a lawmaker from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, is accused of passing on information to the Chinese since 2002. The former AfD aide, identified only as Jian G. under German privacy laws, is charged with providing information to Chinese intelligence for decades. The period includes a more recent time when he worked for Maximilian Krah — at the time a member of the European Parliament for the far-right populist party. Prosecutors in Dresden accuse Jian G. of passing on information on debates and decisions at the European Parliament, along with other information. He is suspected of illegally accessing more than 500 documents that the parliament, of which his boss Krah was a member between 2019 and 2025, had classified as "particularly sensitive." G., who was arrested in the eastern German city of Dresden in April 2024, is also suspected of gathering information on senior AfD figures including party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla. It is also possible that information collected by Jian G. includes sensitive details about the workings of the AfD itself, the revelation of which could prove an embarrassment to the party. However, Krah has told news magazine that he never discussed certain internal problems with the defendant. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The second defendant, named only as Jaqi X., worked at a company that provided Leipzig airport with logistics services. She is accused of helping Jian G. access information on flights and passengers, especially to do with the transport of defense equipment. Krah himself is under separate investigation on suspicion of money laundering and corruption partly connected with firms linked to Jian G. He was also at the center of a scandal over remarks that seemed to downplay the seriousness of the crimes committed by the Nazis' notorious SS, but nonetheless currently sits as an AfD member of the German lower house, or Bundestag. At the start of his trial, Jian G. denied allegations of spying for China. His defense lawyer rejected the charges in court, saying G. had never agreed to pass on any information. Described as a committed employee, G. mainly worked on foreign trade, the lawyer said. Given his background and language skills, he was also responsible for managing relations with China and held talks in that context. The defense acknowledged that some of the people G. interacted with could have had ties to Chinese intelligence, but insisted there was no evidence of intentional cooperation Meanwhile, alleged accomplice Jaqi X. testified that she was unaware of any intelligence links between Jian G. and Chinese authorities. However, she admitted passing information to him because he worked in the European Parliament and was, in her words, committed to fostering strong ties between China and Germany through the AfD. Federal prosecutors have described the espionage case as "particularly serious," citing extensive Chinese surveillance activities targeting Germany and the EU. "This case is exemplary of China's intelligence efforts concerning Germany's political, economic, and military affairs," said Federal Prosecutor Stephan Morweiser on the sidelines of the trial in Dresden. He said the spying extended from monitoring AfD leadership to tracking troop movements. The trial at Dresden's Higher Regional Court is expected to last through the end of September, with 13 days of hearings scheduled. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter Berlin Briefing.
