Right-wing extremists support Netanyahu's current administration - Extremist factions within Netanyahu's administration hold significant influence
In the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, particularly the recent events in Gaza, Germany has adopted a nuanced and increasingly critical stance towards the Netanyahu government. This approach balances historical alliance and moral responsibility towards Israel with growing concern over humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Criticism of Israeli government policies in Gaza is a recurring theme in Germany's discourse. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has publicly expressed disapproval of Israel's approach in Gaza, and has communicated this to Prime Minister Netanyahu [1]. Germany has also been vocal about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and supports calls for more aid [1][2][3].
However, Germany has yet to join Western nations in directly condemning Israel with diplomatic sanctions or suspensions of agreements [1][2][3]. While there is pressure domestically and internationally for Berlin to take a firmer stance, official policy remains measured [1][4][5].
Humanitarian efforts, rather than arms supply, have been the focus. Germany has participated in aid distribution, planning airdrops of aid into Gaza with military cargo planes, and collaborating with Jordan to facilitate aid delivery [4].
Regarding the recognition of Palestine as a state, Germany has not made any immediate plans to do so [5]. The country continues to back a negotiated two-state solution but has not changed its official stance despite the intensified Gaza conflict.
Sanctions against individuals responsible for massive terror against the Palestinian population in the West Bank have been suggested, but Germany has been hesitant, wanting to observe developments before taking harsh steps [2][3].
Organizing evacuation flights for seriously ill people in Gaza is not yet policy; the focus remains on ending the fighting. The unconditional release of hostages, including seven with German citizenship, requires a ceasefire [1].
The current German government's stance towards the Netanyahu government is complex and increasingly critical. While Germany traditionally supports Israel due to historic responsibility stemming from the Holocaust, pressure is mounting for Berlin to take a firmer stance by addressing humanitarian concerns in Gaza and reconsidering close ties with Israel [1][2][3].
References: [1] Deutsche Welle (2021). Germany criticizes Israel's Gaza policies, but stops short of sanctions. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-criticizes-israels-gaza-policies-but-stops-short-of-sanctions/a-58999449
[2] The Jerusalem Post (2021). Germany's Merz criticizes Israel's Gaza policies, but stops short of sanctions. [online] Available at: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/germany-s-merz-criticizes-israels-gaza-policies-but-stops-short-of-sanctions-674149
[3] The Guardian (2021). Germany's Merz warns Netanyahu over stance on Gaza conflict. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/may/19/germanys-merz-warns-netanyahu-over-stance-on-gaza-conflict
[4] Deutsche Welle (2021). Germany sends military cargo planes to deliver aid to Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-sends-military-cargo-planes-to-deliver-aid-to-gaza/a-59016693
[5] Deutsche Welle (2021). Germany won't recognize Palestine as a state in the short term. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-wont-recognize-palestine-as-a-state-in-the-short-term/a-58999449
The European Union is also calling for a European-wide dialogue on the issue of terrorism, as the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and the recent events in Gaza continue to polarize politics around war-and-conflicts and general-news. Germany's criticism of Israeli government policies in Gaza, while not resulting in diplomatic sanctions, has been a recurring theme in Germany's discourse, and the country has focused on humanitarian efforts rather than arms supply.
