Iran’s ongoing hostility toward Israel and its frequent calls for the destruction of the Jewish state are “unacceptable,” and Tehran must change its stance, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday.

In an interview published Saturday on the English website of Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, Merkel said Germany will keep repeating this message “loudly and clearly” until the Iranian regime understands.

The chancellor also acknowledged — and lamented — the poor image that Israel has in Germany, and was fiercely critical of any comparison between Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians and the Nazis’ determination to eradicate the Jewish people.