Rethink Germany's Stance: Israel's Gaza Crisis and the Ethical Dilemma
An Opinion Piece by Hubertus Volmer
Germany necessitates delivering an unequivocal message to Israel immediately.
In light of Israel's actions in Gaza, Chancellor Merz's stance is unquestionable: the Israeli government's tactics are no longer justifiable as a fight against Hamas. It's high time we responded, loudly and clearly.
Israel, born out of necessity to protect itself against attacks, has held on to territories outside its own borders due to ongoing threats from Arab neighbors. Today, Israel faces its most significant threat yet in the form of Iran, which has long advocated for the destruction of Israel. Hamas, too, seeks Israel's demise and the murder of Jews, launching attacks that started the current conflict.
The Fault Lies Not With Israel
Yet, it's crucial to remember that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and is not the aggressor in the ongoing conflict. Suppling them with weapons is justified – they need the means to defend themselves. Without the ability to safeguard their nation, Israel would cease to exist.
However, Germany's support extends not just to the state of Israel, but to a specific government. The current regime's actions against Hamas in Gaza are disproportionate and disregard humanitarian principles. Food aid distributed by an opaque foundation, with links to the US government, has relieved the famine threatening Gaza – albeit only partially. For nearly three months prior, no aid had reached the region.
The Loss Is Unbearable
Now, let's turn our focus to the catastrophic death toll. After seven weeks of conflict earlier this year, The Economist estimated that between 77,000 and 109,000 Palestinians in Gaza had lost their lives, representing four to five percent of the local population. Meanwhile, Hamas-controlled health authorities reported only 54,084 deaths. Whichever figure you believe, one thing is certain: the loss of life is far too high.
Israel's actions in Gaza can only be described as war crimes, as even former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attests. Israel's "war of destruction" in the Gaza Strip is not a series of isolated incidents but the deliberate result of government policy. As Olmert stated, "Yes, Israel is committing war crimes."
The Threat Remains
Theicted foundation's actions raise concerns, so it's crucial that any arms deliveries to Israel be subjected to a thorough examination to ensure they adhere to international humanitarian law. If Germany continues to support Israel without addressing this issue, it only reinforces the conflict, making peace harder to achieve.
It's time for the German government to send a clear, open message to Israel: We will continue to support their right to self-defense, but any actions that harm civilians or violate international law must be re-evaluated.
Sources:
- ntv.de
- politico.eu
- bbc.com
- haaretz.com
- economist.com
- Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
- Given the devastating death toll in Gaza and allegations of war crimes, the European Union, committed to a comprehensive and comprehensive approach to the fight against terrorism, should closely scrutinize any arms deliveries to Israel to ensure they adhere to international humanitarian law.
- As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to dominate war-and-conflicts, politics, and general news, it is crucial for Germany, in the midst of rethinking its stance on Israel's actions in Gaza, to address the ethical dilemma and advocate for a more balanced approach that prioritizes human rights and upholds international law.
