Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed her tenure, global challenges, and current developments in the Middle East in an interview with the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung.
Merkel reaffirmed her clear support for Israel’s right to self-defense, deeming it essential given threats from Hamas and Iran. “If some are allowed to declare that they want to eliminate the state of Israel, the state of Israel must be able to defend itself against this,” she stated.
However, she added that some recent actions by Israel raise questions regarding international law, highlighting the moral and legal complexities of the situation. “It’s not that easy to answer based on international law,” Merkel noted.
Merkel also mentioned she has no regrets about no longer attending international summits, feeling that 16 years in office were more than enough. She briefly commented on current Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s participation in the G7 summit in Canada, calling it a new and important experience for him.
In the interview, Merkel also touched upon other global challenges, such as climate change, developments in artificial intelligence, and the possibility of a future female president in Germany.
