German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is visiting Israel for the first time since taking office in May.

His visit comes just days after Germany decided to lift a three-month suspension on arms exports to Israel that it said could be used in the Gaza Strip.

Merz, who has said he does not consider Israel’s actions in Gaza to be genocide, is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to discuss bilateral relations, the ceasefire in Gaza, and other matters.

Germany is Israel’s second-largest arms supplier after the United States and its fifth-largest export partner, long standing as one of Israel’s staunchest supporters.

Germany’s weapons sales to Israel

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2019 and 2023, the US was the

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