'Won’t be forced into ghettos again': Israeli envoy to Berlin clashes with FM Smotrich after he slams German chancellor over settlement criticism

Israel’s ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, strongly criticized comments made by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who vowed that Germany won’t “force us into ghettos again” in response to a comment by the German chancellor.

“I am deeply concerned about developments in the Palestinian territories,” wrote Chancellor Friedrich Merz, generally seen as a close friend of Israel.

Writing on the eve of Israel’s Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Day, Merz added, “In my phone call with Prime Minister Netanyahu, I made it clear: There must be no de facto annexation of the West Bank.”

The Israeli government has overseen a strong increase in Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria, approving construction of over 50,000 homes and dozens of new towns and communities over its time in office. Recently, reports broke that the cabinet approved the establishment of another 34 communities in a closed meeting two weeks ago.

I am deeply concerned about developments in the Palestinian territories. In my phone call with Prime Minister @netanyahu, I made it clear: There must be no de facto annexation of the West Bank.

— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) April 13, 2026

Merz’s comments prompted strong criticism, with many pointing out the lack of sensitivity in criticizing the return of the Jewish people to its historic homeland on that day.

“On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, the German Chancellor should bow his head and apologize a thousand times on behalf of Germany, rather than daring to preach morality to us on how to conduct ourselves against the Nazis of our generation – who murdered, raped, slaughtered, and burned women, the elderly, and children in the most horrific massacre perpetrated against the Jewish people since the terrible Holocaust,” charged Smotrich.

“We will not accept instructions from hypocritical leaders in Europe, a continent that is once again losing its conscience and its ability to distinguish between good and evil. ​Mr. Chancellor, ​the days when Germans dictated to Jews where they were permitted or forbidden to live are over and shall not return. You will not force us into ghettos again, certainly not in our own land.”

On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, the German Chancellor should bow his head and apologize a thousand times on behalf of Germany, rather than daring to preach morality to us on how to conduct ourselves against the Nazis of our generation—who murdered, raped, slaughtered,… https://t.co/9Rmwz2AtM9

— בצלאל סמוטריץ' (@bezalelsm) April 13, 2026

“​Our return to the Land of Israel – our biblical and historical homeland – is the answer to anyone who tried or tries to destroy us, and we do not apologize for it for a single moment,” Smotrich wrote on 𝕏.

However, Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor defended Merz against the harshly worded attacks, telling Kan Reshet Bet Radio that “It is entirely possible and legitimate to argue with the Germans… Political disagreement exists all the time, but Germany is a great friend of Israel.”

“I and many others have strong criticism of the rise in antisemitism in Germany and the denial of Israel’s very right to exist,” Prosor emphasized.

Nevertheless, he stressed that amid a general downturn of relations with European countries, relations with Germany are still warmer than with most other European powers: “Political disagreements exist all the time, but Germany is a great friend of Israel. Many things Germany does are not acceptable to us—and things we do are not acceptable to them.”

“But Germany has proven, especially amid all the criticism of Israel in Europe, that it is our number one ally,” Prosor emphasized.

In December, Merz traveled to Israel in the first high-profile visit by a European leader since the start of the ceasefire in Gaza. At the time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted the “open, honest” character of his phone conversations with Merz, adding, “these are open conversations between friends and people who respect each other.”

Despite a three-month arms embargo, which had little actual effect, German-Israeli relations continued to be close, particularly in the realm of defense.

Germany recently started receiving the first batteries of the Israeli-produced Arrow missile defense system, and last month, reports suggested that the German Volkswagen is in talks with Israeli defense company Rafael to produce parts for Iron Dome in the city of Osnabrück.

But Smotrich and several other members of his party, which sees itself as the leading vehicle of the settlement ideology in Israeli politics, strongly rejected Merz’s comment.

Simcha Rotman, architect of the judicial reform and head of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, wrote sarcastically that “It is always great to hear opinions from Germans on where Jews should or should not live. ​Such a refreshing experience in comparison to our shared history. ​Today we mark Holocaust Remembrance Day. ​Never again.”

Knesset Member Zvi Sukkot responded in German, writing, “There must never be a policy in the world that aims to create areas free of Jews.”