Department of Research, Strategic Studies and International Relations 15-11-2024

Germany’s unwavering support for Israel’s actions in Gaza has raised numerous questions. Many believe this allegiance stems from efforts to reconcile with its history, particularly the Holocaust. However, the roots of Germany’s stance go deeper and are not solely tied to Holocaust reparations or commitments to prevent similar atrocities. 

Germany has been particularly aggressive in suppressing pro-Palestinian advocacy while backing Israel’s military campaigns. Demonstrations supporting Palestine in Berlin and other cities often face police crackdowns, state intimidation, and accusations of anti-Semitism. For instance, the Palestine Assembly, a significant conference in Berlin earlier this year, was forcibly disbanded by police. Notable attendees, such as Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta, a Palestinian-British surgeon, were denied entry into Germany, with Abu Sitta being deported to the UK and banned from the Schengen Zone. This decision was later overturned by a German court. 

Even prominent figures like former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis were blocked from participating in pro-Palestinian events, with German authorities labeling their planned speeches as “anti-Semitic.” This narrative persists despite evidence showing these individuals were not attacking Judaism but critiquing Israel’s policies. Ironically, even Jewish voices supporting Palestinian rights face suppression in Germany. Last year, German-Israeli psychoanalyst Iris Hefets was arrested for protesting alone with a placard reading: “As an Israeli and as a Jew, stop the genocide in Gaza.” 

Moreover, over 100 Jewish artists, academics, and cultural figures in Germany issued an open letter condemning the state’s conflation of anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism. They criticized the growing xenophobia and paternalistic philo-Semitism, which they argued stifles legitimate criticism of Israel. 

 Historical Roots of Germany’s Support 

The roots of Germany’s alliance with Israel are intertwined with its post-World War II history. While the world expected a thorough process of de-Nazification to eradicate the ideologies that fueled the Holocaust, this process was largely abandoned with the onset of the Cold War. The West, eager to counter the Soviet Union, shifted focus from dismantling Germany’s imperialist and militaristic structures to reintegrating the country as a key ally. 

In 1953, Germany began reparations to Israel, not through direct support to Holocaust survivors, but via industrial and military goods. This marked the beginning of Germany’s unconditional alignment with Israel. Over time, the Holocaust was reframed in German narratives as an isolated, apolitical atrocity, disconnected from the broader imperialist and militaristic tendencies that characterized its history. 

 A Legacy of Genocide 

Germany’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza also reflects its historical approach to genocide. Decades before the Holocaust, Germany committed atrocities in its colonies, including the genocide of the Herero and Nama peoples in Southwest Africa between 1904 and 1907. The methods and ideologies developed during this time laid the groundwork for later atrocities under the Nazi regime. 

Notably, the concept of *Lebensraum* (living space) emerged during Germany’s colonial era and later became a cornerstone of Nazi ideology. Figures like Eugen Fischer, who conducted horrific experiments on colonized populations, directly influenced Nazi practices, including those of Josef Mengele at Auschwitz. 

Germany’s continued support for Israel, even amidst allegations of genocide in Gaza, seems less about Holocaust guilt and more about normalizing and relativizing its own history. By framing Israel’s actions as “self-defense,” Germany indirectly validates its past atrocities as unfortunate but necessary measures within a historical context. 

 Awareness of the Current Crisis 

German authorities are undoubtedly aware of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Reports, videos, and international testimonies have documented the widespread destruction, starvation, and dehumanizing rhetoric used against Palestinians. Statements by Israeli officials, such as Defense Minister Yoav Gallant referring to Palestinians as “human animals,” eerily echo the language used by Nazi leaders like Heinrich Himmler during World War II.

Germany’s alignment with Israel, despite clear evidence of human rights violations, underscores its broader historical and political motivations. The narrative isn’t just about Holocaust reparations or combating anti-Semitism—it’s about preserving a geopolitical alliance while deflecting scrutiny of its own historical legacy. 

In conclusion, Germany’s unwavering support for Israel’s actions in Gaza is deeply tied to its historical, political, and ideological context. Far from being a simple act of atonement for the Holocaust, it reflects a complex interplay of past and present priorities.