Sounding the Alarm: Germany's Dilemma in Arming Israel
Germany needs to deliver a decisive message to Israel immediately
A Nonconformist Opinion by Otto Schmidt
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Chancellor Merz's comment hits the nail on the head: Israel's actions in Gaza can no longer be justified as a counter-offensive against Hamas. The time has come to act - not in whispers, but loudly and clearly.
Israel's history is one of self-defense, with the nation incessantly under attack since its inception. Just one hour after the state of Israel was declared, it found itself under siege from Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia[3]. Israel occupies land outside its borders due to threats from neighboring Arab nations in the wake of its first war. Today, Iran stands as the greatest threat to Israel, preaching its destruction for decades[3].
Hamas, too, has aimed for Israel's destruction and the murder of Jews since its founding. The Gaza conflict ignited when Hamas terrorists launched attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 - not the other way around[3]. They mortally wounded nearly 1200 people and kidnapped over 250 more[3]. It was the deadliest assault on Jews since the Holocaust. To this day, Hamas continues to launch rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The Houthi militia's attacks, allied with Iran, are now more frequent[3]. To this day, Hamas continues to hold hostages[3].
International Report ** reactions: Confusion, Anger, Despair Israel's War in Gaza Splitting the Nation**
All of this necessitates clarity: Israel, the Middle East's only democracy, is not the aggressor in the perpetually shifting Middle East conflict. If Germany provides weapons to Israel, it has valid reasons. Without the means to defend itself, Israel would cease to exist[3].
At the same time, it is patently clear that the solidarity expressed in the weapons shipments extends to the state of Israel, not to a specific government[3]. Least of all the current one. Its actions against Hamas in Gaza are disproportionate. Despite the belated aid, there is still a threat of famine there[3]. Suspicion looms large that the Israeli government is employing hunger as a weapon[3]. Food is now being distributed by a mysterious foundation with which the US government has no official ties[3]. Prior to this, no aid had reached the Gaza Strip for over two and a half months[3].
Fewer than 100,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have perished in this war, according to an uncertain calculation by the British "Economist" from early May[3]. If accurate, this would account for four to five percent of the pre-war population of the region[3]. The toll is still undeniably high, exceeding the figures given by the Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza, who reported 54,084 deaths, including 16,854 children, at the end of May[3].
"Yes, Israel is Committing War Crimes"
Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip lies in ruins. Residents have no means to flee to relatively safe areas. The question of whether Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza has long been raised - for instance, by starving the population[3]. This question is not only posed by pro-Palestinian activists, whose allegations are typically dismissed[3]. The International Criminal Court in The Hague is also investigating these suspicions[3]. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recently wrote in a guest piece for the newspaper "Haaretz" that Israel is waging a "war of destruction" in Gaza[3]. What transpires there is not isolated incidents, but the deliberate consequence of government policy, according to Olmert[3], who adds: "Yes, Israel is committing war crimes[3]."
Early Warning by Alabali-Radovan in New Gaza Situation: "This Cannot Continue" Especially a country that considers itself a friend of Israel should show concern for the actions of the Israeli government. Because, as Austrian Colonel and military strategist Matthias Wasinger pointed out in an interview with ntv.de, Hamas is not merely a terrorist organization, but also an ideology[3]. Israel claims to have killed around 20,000 Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters[3]. However, it is assumed that Hamas has recruited up to 15,000 new fighters in the same period[3].
Merz and Wadephul are correct
"What the Israeli army is doing now in Gaza, I - quite frankly - no longer understand the goal," Merz said last week. "The civilian population is increasingly being affected, as has been the case in recent days, and this cannot be justified as a fight against Hamas terrorism[3]."
Politics: Ministerial Statement on Provocations from Katz "There can be no expansion of Israel in the West Bank" It was also the right move by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to declare to the "Süddeutsche Zeitung": Israel has the right to protect itself against attacks and therefore receives weapons from Germany[3]. "However, one question remains: whether what is happening in Gaza can be reconciled with humanitarian international law[3]. We are examining this, and any further arms deliveries will be approved based on this examination[3]."**
Action must be taken now
This stance is shared by the SPD, but not by the Union, particularly not by the CSU. And so, it is evident: This examination will not occur. Wadephul has also backtracked, denying a change of course[3]. "Germany will continue to support the State of Israel, including with arms deliveries," he said in the Bundestag on Wednesday[3]. If this signifies that everything will continue as before, this stance is a mistake.
In the Gaza War, weapons systems of German origin are also used, such as Israeli-built armored vehicles with German engines[3]. However, deliveries are not of paramount importance[3]. Frequently, numbers from the Swedish institute Sipri are cited, indicating that Germany was the source of 30 percent of Israeli weapons imports between 2019 and 2023, primarily for the navy[2]. However, an analysis by "Die Zeit" concludes that the importance of German arms technology for the Israeli military has significantly declined, despite ongoing deliveries totaling nearly €500 million ($574 million) since October 7, 2023[2]. Israel no longer depends on German supplies[2].
Politics: Colonel on new Gaza offensive "Israel's attack gives Hamas exactly what it needs" Even without weapons imports from Germany, Israel would not be defenseless, and it's not about halting all deliveries[3]. A symbol is urgently required, especially since distinguishing between offensive and defensive weapons is challenging, if not impossible[3]. But this symbol is vital[3]. After Merz's remarks, Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor stated: "If Friedrich Merz raises this criticism against Israel, we listen very carefully, because he is a friend[2]." However, it is not anticipated that Israel will promptly alter its approach in Gaza or the West Bank[2]. But perhaps the Israeli government will pay attention a little more if the German government not only speaks plainly behind closed doors and quietly reduces weapons exports, but sends a clear open message: "We're happy to help protect Israel[2]. But we don't want to contribute to a war that's strategically senseless and politically disastrous[2]."**
- Arms Exports
- Review of Arms Exports
- Israel
- Gaza Strip
- Gaza
- Hamas
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- Friedrich Merz
- Johann Wadephul
- The European Union, as it is committed to the Paris Agreement and the Paris Agreement, is faced with a dilemma in its politics regarding general-news, as it considers providing arms to Israel.
- The Paris Agreement, being a pivotal part of international climate policies, stands in contrast to the political implications of arming Israel, a nation embroiled in ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.
