Why Friedrich Merz has to change his Israel policy

Can Germany criticize Israel?

A few years ago I argued about this question with a friend. No, he said. Because of the incomparable German crimes against the Jews, Germany had forfeited any right to speak of the Israeli government’s policy.

I was different. A real friend is not only characterized by unconditional support. But also because he tells the other openly when he is wrong, according to my argument.

There can hardly be any doubts that Israel’s government is currently wrong in the Gaza War. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu no longer seems to be about defending his country. But about splitting the Gaza Strip. The military campaign after the terrorist attacks on October 7 was really and understandable, it seems to have been so much out of control.

Aid organizations consistently report on the targeted attacks of Israeli soldiers on the civilian population, such as people who are in snakes for food in order not to starve in an area in which the supply has largely collapsed.

Most recently, the Israeli army has declared large parts of Gaza City as a combat zone. The Israeli leadership does not seem to be interested in the fact that people can hardly flee to other places and are therefore released for shooting. And apparently not the fate of the more than 50 Israeli hostages, which have been in the clutches of Hamas and their cruel helpers for more than a year and a half. None of these will be saved by the army’s approach.

Nevertheless, Friedrich Merz remains with his reluctance to Israel. He asked the government to “immediately end these massive bombing of the Gaza Strip and enable humanitarian aid”. But he does not want to agree with the request of 28 European countries to Israel to end the Gaza war immediately. But what are his words worth if an action does not even symbolically follow?

The Chancellor is actually in the best position to tighten your own line. Because the German government and Merz itself never left doubts about whose side they are. That Israel’s law and the fight against anti -Semitism are not just a historical responsibility for Germany. This clarity cannot be found in all neighboring European governments.

It is quite possible that even clearer words or signatures under European initiatives of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not impress. But it would be a signal to the Israeli population that the country that is still in Europe in Europe considers the course in Gaza to be dangerous.

And it would be a signal to the German population that you can see what most people already feel here: to no longer be able to watch the innocent people in Gaza.

It always has to remain a two -sound. Anyone who demands something from Israel always has to turn to the people who have triggered the war. If Hamas would release all hostages tomorrow (which it will never do), Israel’s government would no longer have legitimation for another military approach.

The German government has to do everything in its power to end this war, especially for Israel’s sake. Because he not only leaves Gaza destroyed – he also creates a next generation that will look at Israel full of hatred.