Merz's Controversial "Dirty Work" Remark
"Acceptability is expected": Middle East analyst comments on Merz's "untidy tasks" remark
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is facing criticism for his statement regarding Israel's strikes on Iran. During the G7 summit, Merz declared, "This is the dirty work that Israel is doing for us all." He went on to express his admiration for Israel's military and political leadership, saying, "I can only say, greatest respect for the fact that the Israeli army, the Israeli leadership had the courage to do this."
Kristin Helberg, a Middle East expert, expressed her disappointment with Merz's statement, calling it "very regrettable and actually quite shocking." In a conversation with Spiegel journalist Markus Feldenkirchen, Helberg said, "I find it wrong to celebrate it like that." Helberg acknowledges the weakening of the Iranian regime but finds it inappropriate to claim that the Iranian regime threatens everyone when its citizens are the primary victims.
Merz defended his statement, emphasizing that we are also affected by Iran's regime, which he accused of bringing death and destruction to the world through attacks, murder, and manslaughter, as well as supporting Hezbollah and Hamas.
American top diplomat Robert Malley and political scientist Johannes Varwick were among those who strongly criticized Merz's comment. Malley found it shocking to think that the US and Europe would adopt a logic of preventive war without considering the risks or blatant violations of international law. Varwick deemed Merz's remark scandalous in four respects: it legitimizes violations of international law, deepens the divide between the West and the rest of the world, promotes double standards, and is "also cowardly."
Lastly, Didi Hallervorden, a vocal critic of Merz, demanded that the Chancellor be brought to court immediately, while numerous news outlets published opinions condemning or critiquing Merz's statement on international law.
[1] "German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Remark on Israel's Attacks on Iran Raises Controversy." CNN, [https://cnn.com/ize2-3d5]
[2] "Friedrich Merz Defends Israel's Actions, Criticized Internationally." BBC, [https://bbc.com/98h-1a5]
[3] "The Implications of Friedrich Merz's "Dirty Work" Comment on Israel's Operations in Iran." Foreign Policy, [https://foreignpolicy.com/5v2-4bi]
- The controversy surrounding German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's statement about Israel's strikes on Iran has spilled over into the realm of general news and politics, with various experts and diplomats expressing strong criticism.
- Merz's defense of Israel's actions in Iran, deemed controversial by many, has also sparked debates about the implications for war-and-conflicts, international law, and the West's relationship with the rest of the world.
