A Moment, Are Those Muslims? Dirty Deeds for Merz: Israel Stirs Up the AfD
Undercover operations in Israel for Merz: Conservatives demolish AfD party offices
A take by Hendrik Wieduwilt
International law finds itself at the center of attention as Israel aggressively tackles Iran's nuclear weapons program. Germany, even the tabloids, can't help but care about the law's fate.
Politics Wadephul: "Successful outcome" Iran and EU foreign ministers continue talks "International law is useless," blurts former "Bild" boss Julian Reichelt online, now leading "Nius." Yet, not everyone agrees: Commentators swiftly bandied about international legal citations after Israel's assault. "Flagrantly violating international law," they cited law professor Kai Ambos, "Israel's attack on Iran epitomizes the virtually classic case of an unlawful preemptive strike," others echoed Ambos' colleague Matthias Goldmann.
An International Law Soft Spot
Politics "Evacuation by air" German forces rescue 64 citizens from Israel In times when reality forces us to make tough foreign policy decisions, international law serves as a soothing escape valve. Often, even the feared German atomic jitters vanish: Israel should wait a moment before an attack can be deemed lawful, we hear with casual ease. Apparently, the bomb must already be in the air.
International law, however, is a murky branch of politics shrouded in robes, more flexible than the German Civil Code (BGB). Some voices argue that Israel's actions are justified given a neighbor constantly threatening annihilation and the difficulty of intercepting atomic rockets sent from mountainous regions with adequate safety. These voices are typically absent from European audiences.
Certainly, we would be deeply affected if unexpected pieces of Tel Aviv were to vanish due to a small miscalculation. About 80,000 lives hang in the balance. Of course, we've grown accustomed to higher death tolls in Jewish persecution! But, if it makes a difference for one politician or another: Not only Jews, but also approximately 20% of Arab Israelis would perish.
Time to Squirm
Politics Reports: School also hit; Iranian rocket strikes Haifa – 23 injured Sometimes, international law struggles with heavy responsibility. Lawyers understand the "battered wife syndrome." Here, a wife who has suffered years of abuse finally shoots her abusive husband with his revolver. Under German law, this would result in life imprisonment. Unfortunately, humanity finds this difficult to stomach. And just as wriggling is in vogue now, it seems.
International Law: Barely Coverage
It's like underwear: it's better to have some than none. If international law can't help Israel disarm an uncontrollably aggressive neighbor and deprive it of a final weapon of destruction, we might ultimately end up with the Reichelt Doctrine: International law could eventually become a worthless piece of paper.
Dirty Work Label
The second valve the German public is currently testing is tone policing: The Chancellor called Israel's actions "dirty work" that we are now being done for us. Did government spokesman Stefan Kornelius need to splash cold water on his face unexpectedly?
Politics Negotiations over nuclear program "A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to Europe" "Dirty work" sounds like contempt for humanity, and indeed someone has found the term in an SS-Sturmbannführer's statement about the Babi Yar massacre. There, it was about the SS performing "dirty work" for the Wehrmacht. Hmm. That tonality hasn't happened to other chancellors (m/f).
Yet, it's not all bad for Merz. Finally, a raw approach instead of hot air, some commentators cheer. The "just do it" motto, currently trending in the Union, echoes Merz's no-nonsense strategy. The bunker-busting bomb is also a contributor to bureaucratic reduction.
Wait a Minute, Are Those Muslims?
The Middle East issue isn't just about the mullah regime's dangers to the West and the oppressed Iranian population. Israel seems to be stirring up conflict within the German AfD as well.
Politics "Is it legal to kill Chamenei?" Some questioning Israel's actions The AfD is divided on the Middle East issue. The "pacifists" dominate the blue party, where "pacifism" means discussing Putin's aggression over Russian cheesecake. The leap from Russian affinity to Iranian solidarity isn't far.
However, some party heavyweights noticed a telling detail: Wait a moment, are those people below Muslims? A quick internet search later, Beatrix von Storch clarified on "Nius": "We don't want an Iran armed with nuclear weapons."
Friedrich Merz may be right: Israel is performing a significant amount of dirty work for us in more ways than one.
Community policy: The AfD, a German political party, is divided on the Middle East issue, with some members showing solidarity with Iran due to shared origins, raising questions about the party's stance on foreign policy.
Energy and general-news: The debate over Israel's actions against Iran's nuclear program has sparked discussions on international law, with some arguing that Israel's actions are justified given the threat posed by Iran, while others contend that Israel is violating international law with its preemptive strikes. The assessment of Israel's actions as "dirty work" has also sparked debates about tone policing and the appropriate language to use when discussing such sensitive topics.
