The prolongation of the military campaign in Gaza, with all its ramifications, also reflects Germany’s public position on Israel’s conduct. We saw this during Chancellor Schultz’s second visit to Israel since October 7.
His first visit, a few days after October 7, was a sign of solidarity and unqualified support for Israel’s right to self-defense in its war against Hamas. The chancellor’s second visit was marked by disagreements that focus on the wisdom of continuing the military campaign in general and the planned entry into Rafah, the critical need to send humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip given the dire reports of hunger and the increasing number of dead, the feeling that Israel is not doing enough to alleviate the humanitarian situation, Israel’s refusal to discuss the question of “the day after,” indicating a lack of a political perspective, as well as allegations of violence by extremist settlers against the Palestinian population in the territories.
The chancellor expressed the criticism both during a visit to Jordan the day before coming to Israel and in a joint press conference with Israel’s prime minister. Fighting Hamas is legitimate, Chancellor Schultz noted, but the longer the fighting continues and the more desperate the situation in Gaza becomes, the question arises as to whether there are other ways to achieve the goal of the war. He also noted that terrorism cannot be dealt with only by military means. At the same time, he added that there’s a need to give perspective to the Palestinians. In this context, the chancellor refrained from expressing his explicit support for the two-state solution. Finally, he subtly hinted at the disagreements and said that differences of opinion emerged in the conversation he had with Netanyahu about “the day after” plans.
It seems that Chancellor Schultz’s concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the implications for the population following Israel’s expected entry into Rafah do not receive sympathy from Netanyahu, who made it clear that no international pressure will prevent Israel from achieving all the goals of the war.
Contrary to the opinion of some “experts” on Germany’s policy toward Israel, who believe that in his positions the chancellor has responded to the position of the anti-Israeli “German street,” I think the chancellor’s position is to express sincere concern in the face of Israel’s conduct. “We cannot stand by and watch Palestinians suffer from hunger. This is not us. This is not something that expresses our position,” he clarified. In conclusion, the campaign in Gaza and its consequences pose a difficult challenge for the relations between the two countries.
The prolongation of the military campaign in Gaza, with all its ramifications, also reflects Germany’s public position on Israel’s conduct. We saw this during Chancellor Schultz’s second visit to Israel since October 7.
His first visit, a few days after October 7, was a sign of solidarity and unqualified support for Israel’s right to self-defense in its war against Hamas. The chancellor’s second visit was marked by disagreements that focus on the wisdom of continuing the military campaign in general and the planned entry into Rafah, the critical need to send humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip given the dire reports of hunger and the increasing number of dead, the feeling that Israel is not doing enough to alleviate the humanitarian situation, Israel’s refusal to discuss the question of “the day after,” indicating a lack of a political perspective, as well as allegations of violence by extremist settlers against the Palestinian population in the territories.
The chancellor expressed the criticism both during a visit to Jordan the day before coming to Israel and in a joint press conference with Israel’s prime minister. Fighting Hamas is legitimate, Chancellor Schultz noted, but the longer the fighting continues and the more desperate the situation in Gaza becomes, the question arises as to whether there are other ways to achieve the goal of the war. He also noted that terrorism cannot be dealt with only by military means. At the same time, he added that there’s a need to give perspective to the Palestinians. In this context, the chancellor refrained from expressing his explicit support for the two-state solution. Finally, he subtly hinted at the disagreements and said that differences of opinion emerged in the conversation he had with Netanyahu about “the day after” plans.
It seems that Chancellor Schultz’s concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the implications for the population following Israel’s expected entry into Rafah do not receive sympathy from Netanyahu, who made it clear that no international pressure will prevent Israel from achieving all the goals of the war.
Contrary to the opinion of some “experts” on Germany’s policy toward Israel, who believe that in his positions the chancellor has responded to the position of the anti-Israeli “German street,” I think the chancellor’s position is to express sincere concern in the face of Israel’s conduct. “We cannot stand by and watch Palestinians suffer from hunger. This is not us. This is not something that expresses our position,” he clarified. In conclusion, the campaign in Gaza and its consequences pose a difficult challenge for the relations between the two countries.