Home NIEUWSARCHIEF German outcry over Merz’s remark on Israel’s ‘dirty work’

German outcry over Merz’s remark on Israel’s ‘dirty work’

Matthew Moore

DW  /  June 18, 2025

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday praised Israel for being “courageous enough” to attack Iran’s nuclear site, calling it the “dirty work” (Drecksarbeit) done for the West.

His remarks have sparked criticism in Germany, where many had hoped for a more critical stance from Berlin in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.