Calls for Reassessment of Germany's Israel Policy Amid Gaza Conflict

In light of the ongoing Gaza conflict, a significant wave of criticism has emerged from over 100 scientists and Middle East experts regarding Germany's longstanding Israel policy. They argue that Germany's current approach is excessively driven by historical obligations linked to the Holocaust, overshadowing its adherence to international law and human rights, according to a joint appeal published recently.

The group, comprising diplomats, political scientists, and international law specialists, asserts that the German government prioritizes support for the Israeli government at the expense of a legally compliant state policy. Political scientist Muriel Asseburg from the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik emphasizes that this support does not align with Germany's moral and legal obligations under international law. She noted that merely repeating the notion of state interest fails to address the complexities of Germany's historical responsibilities.

The voices of dissent extend to calls for practical changes in policy. Experts advocate for an immediate halt to arms exports to Israel due to the potential for human rights violations, labeling ongoing military support as illegal amid the destruction in Gaza. International law expert Alexander Schwarz stated that peace efforts must recognize the illegality of Israeli occupation and the need for Germany to halt imports from these settlements.

In parallel, over 100 Middle East experts have released a position paper criticizing the current doctrine of prioritizing Israeli security, a concept linked to former Chancellor Angela Merkel's popularization of the term 'German state reason.' They contend this has created an environment where the government evades scrutiny of Israel's actions, thus undermining Germany's constitutional duties to uphold human rights.

The experts' demands are sweeping, including a suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement, a ban on imports from illegal Israeli settlements, and formal recognition of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. They also urge increased support for the UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and a reassessment of the classification of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement as unconstitutional.

As both groups of experts voice their concerns, the German government's current coalition agreement remains steadfast, stating that "the security of Israel is our state interest," without a clear delineation of how this commitment aligns with international law and human rights obligations, raising questions about the future of Germany's foreign policy in the region.