In the final answer of his 30-minute interview with Germany's public broadcaster ARD on Sunday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz struck a clearer note than in any other part of the discussion: "I have not liked what the Israeli government has been doing in the Gaza Strip for many weeks now." He had also expressed this view in several meetings and telephone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he insisted.

The chancellor said he hoped that the Europeans, together with the US, could bring about a solution to the conflict "that ultimately leads to a two-state solution." The Palestinians have a "right" to a place where they can live, he said. "The way things are going at the moment is unacceptable." Merz did not discuss the fate of the last remaining Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity, or the tens of thousands of Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza, nor was he asked to.

It was day 69 of Merz's term as chancellor, and nominally day 2 of the German parliament's summer recess. The Bundestag is currently not scheduled to reconvene until September 8 — another two months.

Merz and his government had hoped to usher in a spirit of renewal in Germany by now, which is what he had been promising since shortly after the federal elections at the end of February. In recent days, Merz's loyal supporters have been trying to paint a picture of success, insisting that the economy is showing positive signs, and pointing to the decline in the number of refugees coming to Germany.

But there can be little talk of renewal before the summer vacation, at least not in domestic........

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