Israel-Germany relations no longer cloudless

German-Israeli relations have a special significance due to the history of the Jewish German population during the Nazi era. Since the end of World War II, Germany has stipulated the security of the Israeli state as a central aim. The latest developments in international politics have also influenced the usually stable German-Israeli relations.

As Daily Sabah writes, the Holocaust against the Jewish population by the Nazis during World War II is considered the greatest crime in the history of Europe. Some 6 million people of Jewish descent were persecuted and systematically killed with the intention of exterminating an entire race. After the end of World War II, the so-called "denazification" began in Europe, especially in Germany. Subsequently, Germany's foreign policy strategy in the Middle East was based on full solidarity with the newly founded Israeli state. So far, Germany has always consistently pursued and carried out this established reason of state.

In an article, the German state defined its policy toward Israel as follows: "The unique relations between Germany and Israel are a cornerstone of German foreign policy. Germany stands up for the right of the State of Israel to exist. As an active partner in the EU, it promotes peace efforts in the Middle East. In the U.N., Germany advocates fair dealings with the parties to the conflict in the Middle East." Germany also supports the educational and cultural sector in Israel in the form of projects and organizations, such as the Goethe Institute and the Max Planck Society. Germany has also paid Israel compensation of around 74 billion euros ($81.16 billion) on account of the Jews killed during the Holocaust. For Israel, Germany is not an insignificant partner: With a trade volume of 6.6 billion euros in 2020, Germany is Israel's most important partner in the European Union.

One-sided Middle East policy

Germany's Middle East policy is clearly centered on the conflict between Israel and Palestine and Israel's security interests with regard to Iran. The close partnership between Germany and Israel means that Germany has a very one-sided perspective on this conflict. During her farewell visit to Israel, former Chancellor Angela Merkel made it clear that Israel's security was a priority in Germany's Middle East policy. In particular, Merkel's statement that Israel's security interests are not about taking a neutral position sums up German Middle East policy very well. Merkel's statements were as follows: “Because Israel is a Jewish democratic state in an environment where there are no democracies in our sense, it is so important that we have relations with each other across the whole range of our activities. It's about not being neutral, but taking a clear position in favor of Israel's security, no matter how difficult the situation.” Merkel's statements show that Germany, which otherwise adopts the image of a neutral mediator, consistently pursues its pro-Israeli policy and makes no secret of it. This policy also affects freedom of expression within Germany.

Different policy approach

Recent developments in international politics are causing states to adopt a different approach to their foreign policy strategy. Above all, the Ukraine situation is also influencing German-Israeli relations. While Germany takes a clear negative stance toward Russia and shows solidarity for Ukraine, Israel takes a neutral role between the two parties to the conflict.

During the inaugural visit of the new German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to Israel at the beginning of March and the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to Berlin shortly afterward, it became clear that intergovernmental relations are no longer as natural as they used to be. While Scholz promoted sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine, Bennett did not comment on either arms deliveries to Ukraine or sanctions against Russia. Bennett had visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow shortly before his trip to Berlin. This clearly shows that Israel would rather play the role of a mediator than choose a party to the conflict. Israel's relations with Russia are particularly important because of Israeli security interests in Syria and Iran. On the other hand, Israel also wants to keep their relations with the West stable.

From Germany's perspective, in addition to the changes in international politics, one should also be aware of domestic political developments. The new coalition government consisting of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) are pursuing a foreign policy that, at least in theory, is based on morality, human rights and values. During her inaugural visit to Tel Aviv, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) criticized Israel's settlement policy and called for a two-state solution. Germany would be ready to mediate between the Israelis and the Palestinians in a political process. To what extent, and if at all, the new German government will implement Baerbock's statements in its foreign policy is questionable. Israel still receives strong support from the German media, which often censor statements critical of Israel. Israeli policy is far too deeply anchored in the German reason of state for Germany to be able to change this policy in the short and midterm. However, German-Israeli relations have also experienced better times.