Shift in Berlin's Approach to the Gaza Conflict

Shift in Berlin's Approach to the Gaza Conflict

The international community's response to Israel's decision to occupy Gaza during the 2023 Middle East conflict has been largely critical, calling for de-escalation, ceasefire, and respect for humanitarian law. While many Western nations, such as the US, UK, France, and Germany, have expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself following the Hamas attacks starting on 7 October 2023, there has been widespread concern over Israel's military actions in Gaza and their humanitarian consequences.

United Nations

The UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce and cessation of hostilities. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights strongly condemned Israel’s plan to take full military control of Gaza, calling for its immediate halt, emphasizing that it violates international law and warning of further massive displacement and suffering.

Western Countries

Many countries, including Germany, have criticized the initial Hamas attacks and supported Israel’s right to self-defense. However, a joint statement by the UK and 31 international partners criticized Israel’s aid delivery model in Gaza as dangerous and inhumane, highlighting the deaths of hundreds of Palestinians trying to access aid and calling for an end to hostilities and humanitarian assistance flow.

Countries Severing or Downgrading Ties

As of late 2024, some countries have severed diplomatic relations with Israel (Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Nicaragua), while others (Bahrain, Chad, Chile, etc.) have recalled ambassadors citing Israeli actions during the war. This underscores increasing international diplomatic isolation related to the occupation.

International Organizations

Groups like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have been engaging with all parties to uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and promote aid access amid ongoing hostilities.

Calls for Humanitarian Access and Hostage Release

The international community calls for immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas and for Israel to allow full, unfettered humanitarian aid into Gaza to alleviate the devastating civilian situation.

Germany's Response

Germany, Israel's second-largest arms supplier after the US, has partially halted its arms exports to Israel due to its decision to occupy the city of Gaza. Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that exports of military goods that could be used in the Gaza war will not be approved temporarily. Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil supports Merz's approach, calling for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza as quickly and comprehensively as possible.

However, the opposition in Germany, including the Green Party and the Left Party, believes the German government's course change does not go far enough and calls for further steps, such as active pushing for a political process, suspending the EU association agreement, and recognizing Palestine. It remains unclear which specific military goods Germany will no longer deliver to Israel, and whether this will impair the Israeli army's ability to wage war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the German government of rewarding Islamic Hamas with a partial arms export ban. The Central Council of Jews in Germany criticizes Merz's policy shift, stating it endangers Israel's existence.

The Israeli security cabinet approved a plan to occupy the city of Gaza after hours of deliberations. The Israeli leadership had decided to escalate the fighting in the Gaza Strip before the German government's decision.

The Gaza war began with the Hamas massacre and other extremists from the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths and about 250 kidnappings. Merz stated that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism, but the military escalation makes it increasingly difficult to achieve its goals from the German government's perspective.

Merz spoke of "military goods" rather than "weapons," which could include tank engines, for example. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) warned against the annexation of the West Bank or the Gaza Strip during a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories a week ago. The German government has approved arms exports to Israel worth almost half a billion euros since the Hamas terror attack almost two years ago.

Netanyahu stated that Germany is rewarding Hamas terrorism by imposing a weapons embargo on Israel. However, the international community remains divided between support for Israel’s right to self-defense and condemnation of the humanitarian impact of its occupation and blockade of Gaza, with strong emphasis on stopping the military takeover to prevent further civilian suffering and to respect international law.

1. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights strongly condemned Israel's plans to take full military control of Gaza, warning of further massive displacement and suffering.
2. Germany, Israel's second-largest arms supplier, has partially halted its arms exports to Israel due to its decision to occupy Gaza, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz calling for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza as quickly and comprehensively as possible.
3. Groups like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have been engaging with all parties to uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians, and promote aid access amid ongoing hostilities in Gaza.
4. The international community calls for immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas and for Israel to allow full, unfettered humanitarian aid into Gaza to alleviate the devastating civilian situation.

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