Right-wing extremists hold significant influence over the Netanyahu administration - "Right-wing extremist parties hold significant influence within Netanyahu's administration"
In recent times, the German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz has been vocal about its growing criticism and increasing pressure on the Netanyahu government in Israel, particularly concerning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This shift in stance is marked by a pivot that could see the suspension or review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement due to concerns about the "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza.
While Germany continues to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, collaborating closely with Jordan to facilitate airlifts, it is also balancing aid delivery with diplomatic restraint. The German government has made it clear that organising evacuation flights for severely ill people in Gaza is a humanitarian gesture but not a policy; the policy should be to push for an end to hostilities.
The current political stance of Germany reflects tensions between its moral-historical alliance with Israel and the contemporary political realities of Netanyahu's far-right-influenced government and the Gaza conflict. Domestically, there is pressure on the German government to adopt a tougher stance, with voices inside the government urging stronger actions and signalling dissatisfaction with its current approach.
Germany's special responsibility towards Israel, based on international law due to its Holocaust legacy, is not lost. However, it increasingly describes Israeli military actions in Gaza as unacceptable and pushes for unrestricted humanitarian aid, reflecting a shift from unconditional support towards greater criticism and conditionality.
The German population largely considers Israel's actions in Gaza as unjustified. Recognition of Palestine as a state by Germany would send a signal to the Palestinian Authority that promises are taken seriously. This recognition is a prerequisite for the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza to live again. The policy should include joining the declaration for an immediate ceasefire, suspending the Association Agreement between Israel and the European Union, and forming a coalition of the willing within the EU that recognises Palestine as a state.
The International Criminal Court is dealing with the situation in Gaza based on South Africa's lawsuit. The court will decide whether actions in Gaza constitute genocide. The Netanyahu government's dependence on racists and far-right extremists is a matter of concern. In fact, many German Jews and Israelis criticise Netanyahu's policies more than Germans should.
The policy should also include sanctioning individuals responsible for massive terror against the Palestinian population in the West Bank. This is crucial as the current situation involves illegal settlements in the West Bank, and settlers who terrorise Palestinian residents on their land with firearms should not be equated with all Jews.
Violations of international law such as the announced ethnic cleansing in Gaza are not covered by solidarity with Israel. The current situation calls for a clear and decisive stance from the international community, and Germany, with its unique historical perspective, is playing a significant role in shaping this stance.
The hostages in Gaza, including seven with German citizenship, must be freed. This requires a ceasefire. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu on suspicion of crimes against humanity. The situation in Gaza is complex and multifaceted, but Germany's stance is one of cautious but growing criticism, emphasising humanitarian concerns and potential sanctions while avoiding full diplomatic rupture.
The European Union, adhering to the UN Charter, is actively considering suspending or reviewing the EU-Israel Association Agreement due to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a general news topic that has become increasingly politicized. In this context, the German government's diplomatic efforts include advocating for a end to the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza, as well as urging the Palestinian Authority to recognize Palestine as a state.
