Sounding the Alarm: Israel's Actions in Gaza Demand Germany's Unambiguous Response
Germany needs to send a decisive message to Israel immediately.
Blunt Talk by Hubertus Volmer
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Germany, as a strong ally, must send a crystal-clear message to Israel: Actions in the Gaza Strip can no longer be justified as a countermeasure against Hamas. Time for decisive action.
Ever since its establishment, Israel has faced relentless assaults, with neighboring countries attackig it hours after the state's formation. The land it occupies outside its borders stemmed primarily from constant threats from its Arab peers post the initial conflict. Today, the main threat to Israel is iran, which has proclaimed Israel's destruction for decades.
Hamas, with a vision for Israel's elimination and the persecution of Jews, launched the Gaza war by attacking Israel on October 7, 2023, not the other way around. They claimed the lives of almost 1,200 people and kidnapped 250 more. This represented the largest Jewish massacre since the Holocaust. Up until now, Hamas continues to fire rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel, while Iran-linked attacks from militia in Yemen have escalated. They continue to hold hostages.
International Outcry Israel: A Divided Nation Amidst Conflict in Gaza
It's crucial to remind everyone: Israel, a beacon of democracy in the Middle East, is not the aggressor in the tumultuous Middle East conflict. If Germany chooses to supply weapons to Israel, it does so for valid reasons. Without the capacity to defend itself, Israel would not exist.
Nonetheless, it's acknowledged that solidarity in arm deliveries is extended to the state of Israel, not to any specific government or administration. Israel's actions against Hamas in Gaza are disproportionate. Despite emergency aid, a looming famine threatens the Gaza Strip. Rumors circulate that the Israeli government uses hunger as a weapon, with aid being distributed by an obscure foundation with ties to the US government. Prior to this, no aid reached the Gaza Strip for over two and a half months.
According to a rough estimate by "The Economist" in early May, between 77,000 and 109,000 Palestinians in Gaza lost their lives in this war. This represents four to five percent of the area's pre-war population. The number is alarmingly high, exceeding the figures reported by the Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza: 54,084 people, including 16,854 children, were reported dead at the end of May.
"Yes, Israel Commits War Crimes"
The ongoing chaos in Gaza has led to questionable actions from Israel. Questions about Israel committing war crimes, for instance, starving the population, are no longer just raised by pro-Palestinian advocates. The international community, particularly the International Criminal Court in The Hague, is investigating these claims. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asserted in a guest article for "Haaretz" that Israel is waging a "war of destruction" in the Gaza Strip. He acknowledged: "Yes, Israel is committing war crimes."
An Empire Too Far Alabali-Radovan in Gaza: "This Must Stop Now" An ideology, such as Hamas, can be vanquished or eradicated with alternative nation-wide methods, according to Austrian colonel and military strategist Matthias Wasinger in an interview with ntv.de. Israel allegedly killed around 20,000 Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters but has continued to recruit up to 15,000 new ones during the same period.
The Israeli government's sole reliance on military success and territorial occupation is a glaring oversight. A more holistic approach, offering a vision for the future, would be more effective in defeating an ideology like Hamas.
An Unjust War Merz and Wadephul on Israel's Unprovoked Attacks Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz rightly expressed doubts about Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, which cannot be justified as a counter-terrorism measure. Similarly, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul highlighted the need to ensure Israel can defend itself, but also raised concerns about Israel's adherence to international humanitarian law. Germany is examining these issues before allowing further arms deliveries.
The Time for Action is Now
The stance of the SPD aligns with that of Merz, but not the Union, particularly the CSU. Confirming that Germany's ongoing examination will not take place, it is crucial for the German government to intervene decisively.
Armed Contingency Germany's Role in Israel's Militaristic Escalation Germany's involvement in the supplying of weapons to Israel is significant, with weapons systems of German origin being used in the conflict. Despite claims that Germany is a major supplier for Israeli weapon imports, an analysis by "Die Zeit" reveals that the influence of German arms technology on the Israeli military has significantly decreased[3].
In the face of mounting international pressure, the symbolic importance of withholding arms deliveries cannot be overstated. A clear message from the German government, expressing concern over Israel's actions, is urgently needed. After Merz's statements, Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor said, "If Friedrich Merz raises this criticism against Israel, we listen very carefully, because he is a friend." Although immediate change in Israel's course is not likely, Israel may be willing to listen more carefully if the German government sends a more open and unequivocal message: We stand ready to protect Israel, but we refuse to contribute to a senseless and disastrous war.
Sources:
- ntv.de
- Süddeutsche Zeitung
- Die Zeit
- Weapon delivery
- Debate on weapon deliveries
- Israel
- Gaza Strip
- Gaza
- Hamas
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- Friedrich Merz
- Johann Wadephul
- Despite the European Union's commitment to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Paris Agreement, global issues such as war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news demand urgent attention, as illustrated by the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip.
- Amidst the allegations of war crimes against Israel, the international community, including the European Union, should not overlook climate change agreements like the Paris Agreement, but also address the disproportionate actions of Israel in the Gaza Strip, which are causing widespread human suffering.
