Germany and Israel: Foreign Minister WadePhul on a difficult mission in Middle East

In the middle of steadily sharper criticism of the Israeli warfare in Gaza, Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul flies to political talks according to Tel Aviv. Their course is also likely to have an impact on whether Germany follows the demand for sanctions against its close partner. If this occurs, this would be a novelty in German-Israeli relationships.

The current Middle East conflict brings the Federal Government into a dilemma in several ways. On the one hand, there is a special responsibility for the Jewish state in which Germany sees itself because of the Holocaust. To date, German politicians are not tired of emphasizing that the existence and security of Israel is “part of the German State Raison”.

On the other hand, the pictures remain from the Gaza Strip – countless dead, desperate people fighting food, emaciated toddlers and cities bombed out into rubble landscapes – not without effect. The traffic light government of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has already warned that Israel had to comply with the rules of humanitarian international law in the Gaza War. Successor Friedrich Merz (CDU) now makes much more critical tones.

Merz ‘demands to Israel and Hamas

Already that Merz saw the current development in the Gaza Strip as an opportunity to convene the security cabinet, says a lot about the mood in Berlin. After that, the Chancellor announced a real catalog of demands.

“Israel must immediately improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza comprehensively and sustainably,” emphasized Merz. The latest deliveries of food and relief goods could only be a start. And: “It now needs a comprehensive and not just a short -term ceasefire in Gaza. And Hamas has to finally clear the way.” The Israeli government also has to do everything that is in its power.

In addition, the hostages, among which German citizens are still, would finally have to be released. The Islamist terrorists of the Palestinian organization Hamas would have to be disarmed. And there should be no further steps towards an annexation of the West Bank.

Berlin not always in harmony with European partners

The conflict in relation to its European partners brings into a second dilemma. The Federal Government does not cause the fact that French President Emmanuel Macron announced Palestine’s recognition of Palestine as a state and that British Prime Minister Keir Strander at least threatened this step. Now the G7 partner Canada also followed. For Merz, the following applies: “We do not consider recognition as a first, but as one of the possibly final steps towards the realization of a two -state solution.”

In contrast to the question of sanctions against Israel, Germany is reluctant to many other European countries. After all, Berlin keeps steps open in this direction. The EU Commission had recommended that Israel to participate in the Horizon Europe research promotion program in parts.

Differences between the Union and the SPD visible

Another example of the not always congruent in Berlin and the other European capitals: As the Foreign Minister of more than two dozen states – including the most important European – demanded an immediate end of the Gaza War, the signature of WadePhul was missing. From a German perspective, it was not sufficiently emphasized in the call that the brutal attack by Hamas and other terrorist groups on Israel on October 7, 2023 was the outcome of the conflict.

The fact that the demand was subsequently loud from the SPD that Germany should join the explanation and more critically arise towards Israel, the question arose as to how the coalition in Middle East policy is actually – another quail.

Israel reacts irritably to threats

Israel is extremely sensitive to threats to sanctions and the possible recognition of a state of Palestine by its allies. “Such a step rewarded terrorism,” Echt found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the announcement of Macron. He and other Israeli politicians, including opposition figures from the political center, equate a state of Palestine with Hamas. In this logic, Palestine’s recognition of the terrorist organization would play into the hands – or, as Netanyahu put it: “Under these circumstances, a Palestinian state would be a platform for annihilation of Israel.”

The governments in Berlin, Paris and London do not share this assessment. Your contact is the Palestinian Authority. This is based in Ramallah in the West Bank. Hamas does not belong to her.

In response to the recommendation of the EU Commission to sanctions against Israel, the Foreign Ministry announced in Jerusalem: “Every decision of this kind only serves to strengthen Hamas, and consequently undermines the chances of a ceasefire (in the Gaza strip) and to communicate the hostages.”

Trump’s special envoy Witkoff also travels to Israel

And then there is also the role of the United States as the most important ally of Israel and mediator in indirect negotiations with Hamas. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy course is not only considered to be predictable in Berlin. According to US media reports, Trump’s special sent in Steve Witkoff travels to Israel at the latest on Thursday to talk about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. He would then be on the road with WadePhul in the region at the same time.