Pressures and harsh criticism is mounting on Germany over its support for Israel

Pressure is mounting on Germany to join efforts to impose sanctions on Israel over its war in the Gaza Strip, sparking a heated debate in a country haunted by Holocaust guilt.

Berlin, a staunch supporter of Israel in the post-World War II era, finds itself increasingly isolated after several of its Western allies recognized the state of Palestine.

While the attack launched by Hamas on October 7, 2023, was unanimously condemned in the West and considered the trigger that ignited the war in the Palestinian Strip, many today believe that the Israeli military response was completely disproportionate given the number of civilian casualties.

This week, all eyes will be on Berlin, which will have to take a position on the European Union’s proposals to punish Israel.

A summit is scheduled for October 1 in Copenhagen, where German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will have to announce his country’s position.

On the German street, demonstrations against the Israeli war on Gaza have become a weekly event.

“Germany is under increasing pressure from several directions… from partners within the European Union… but also from civil society within Germany and internationally,” said Maryam Salehi, a researcher in international politics at the Free University of Berlin.

The issue of unwavering support for Israel remains taboo in Germany, given the six million Jews killed in the Nazi Holocaust during World War II.

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel elevated Israel’s national security status to a “state interest,” meaning it’s a fundamental principle that overrides all other considerations.

However, a statement by her diplomatic advisor and former UN ambassador, Christoph Heusgen, caused a major shock.

In August, he declared that Israel risked becoming an apartheid state and called on Berlin to recognize the state of Palestine.

The memory of Nazi atrocities and the principle of never again have long been central features of German policy, but many critics believe it’s time to reevaluate what the phrase actually means.

“As its currently interpreted, this principle entails a responsibility toward the State of Israel, but it can also be considered a responsibility toward international law… and a promise not to allow genocide to occur again,” Salehi said.

In the face of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Berlin has toughened its tone.

In August, Merz announced restrictions on arms sales to Israel.

This move was welcomed by the left, but at the same time sparked protests from the right, particularly from the Bavarian Christian Social Union, an ally of the Christian Democratic Union.

“We’re presenting a narrative of a reversed role of perpetrator and victim in Israel, which, in my opinion, doesn’t do justice to the overall situation,” said Stefan Meyer, a foreign policy expert at the Christian Social Union.

For its part, the influential German-Israeli Association considered this to represent “a victory for Hamas in the global propaganda war”.

Germany has avoided describing the Israeli war on Gaza as genocide, even after a UN investigation used the term.

Berlin also made it clear that Germany doesn’t currently intend to recognize a Palestinian state, unlike France, Britain, Australia, Canada, and other Western allies.

As the European Union considers limiting trade ties with Israel and imposing sanctions on ministers, critics say the time has come for concrete action.

Historian René Wildangel said that Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul referred in his speech to the UN General Assembly to Gaza as hell on earth, but that Germany is doing little to end this hell, demanding that Berlin stop turning a blind eye to this matter.

Many Germans agree with this view, and pro-Palestinian protests have become larger and more audacious in recent months, reflecting a shift in public opinion.

On Saturday, tens of thousands of people demonstrated in the streets of Berlin, demanding that Israel end its war in Gaza.

A poll conducted by the public broadcaster ZDF showed that 76% of German voters believe that the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Strip is unjustified.

Similarly, another YouGov poll published this week showed that 62% of German voters believe that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide.