It is exasperating. The statements made by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the left-leaning re:publica conference and subsequently by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Israel are a dam break! A few days earlier, Stern magazine had called for Germany to speak more openly and "free from the stranglehold of collective guilt" about the Israeli injustice in Gaza. Even if this statement has since been redacted, the damage has already been done, because Germany spoke: Johann Wadephul spoke of "forced solidarity", the long-time SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich of "self-captivity due to the historical burden of National Socialism", the journalist Gabor Steingart fabulated of "subjugation".
These statements are part of the avalanche that Wadephul set off without need. His accusation of an "instrumentalization" of German politics (by whom?) hints at Jewish-Israeli machinations, but then remains nebulous. We heard the essence of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion - from the mouth of a CDU foreign minister? Completely irresponsible and unacceptable for a politician of his rank. His words are grist to the mill of Israel-haters and world conspiracy theorists on both the left and the right. His term "forced solidarity" has already caused irreparable damage and must be clearly retracted.
Since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, we have found ourselves in a maelstrom of anti-Israeli resentment. We are experiencing all-time highs in the number of anti-Semitic crimes, openly Jew-hating university occupations and almost daily marches by left-wing and Muslim anti-Semites in the capital. Hamas has meanwhile succeeded in achieving a perpetrator-victim reversal. Its means of choice is the cynical exploitation and usage as human shields of its own civilian population, towards which it is not only entirely indifferent, but which it is willfully sacrificing. Then, it disseminates ever new lies, which have been and are often directly adopted by the media.
One-sided reporting
A year and a half after the Hamas-massacre, current media-coverage is overflowing with murmur and propaganda about Israel. History teaches us that propaganda and lies against Jews are a precursor to worse things. We Germans should have learned... but we haven't. Lies work, and so does one-sided reporting: According to a survey of Germany's second state-broadcaster, ZDF, 80% of the population now believe that Israel's Gaza offensive is no longer justified. According to Stern magazine, 75% are even in favor of a temporary halt to arms deliveries.
"The Hamas triangle is the new swastika"
In the USA, the first murders of Jews are already taking place in the name of "Free Palestine". The slogan is the new "Heil Hitler". The keffiyeh is the new brown shirt. The Hamas triangle is the new swastika. If things go on like this, it's only a matter of time before lies and pro-Palestinian propaganda claim Jewish blood in this country too. All the anti-Semite needs to live out his hatred is a pseudo-ethical justification. The Middle Ages are back. The old myths of Jewish child murderers or well-poisoners are being used against Israel today. "Child murderer Israel" and unfounded accusations of genocide in Gaza or hunger as a weapon of war are unleashing anti-Semites worldwide. In view of this onslaught on Jewish life and the German Staatsräson (raison d'etat), it is not clear why the Federal Chancellor is unable or unwilling to understand the objective of Israeli warfare.
Apart from the return of the inhabitants of the north to their homes, none of Israel's legitimate war aims have yet been achieved. Hamas, which continues to be supported by the vast majority of Palestinians, has neither been destroyed nor surrendered, and it cannot be ruled out that Gaza will once again pose a threat to Israel. And: There are still 56 hostages in the hands of the terrorists, including eight people with a German connection or citizenship! Shouldn't it be the highest goal of the German government to get these people released? Instead, it criticizes the desperate attempts of our attacked Israeli friends, who are not blessed with neighbors like Luxembourg or Switzerland and who literally have to fight for their survival in a hostile environment on a daily basis. Of course, everyone is free to criticize Israel's military action. But friends don't have to. And from the safety of a Berlin sofa, we shouldn't.
If German politicians want to get a taste of what the Israelis are up against, they should tackle the problems pro-Palestinian demonstrations on the streets of Berlin and at its universities pose and solve them. After that, we might have something substantial to contribute. Where does this sudden desire to let off steam come from, where is the political turnaround coming from?
Germany's reason of state is at stake
It is nothing new that there are strong currents among social democrats (SPD) to side with Israel-critics, but if the Christian democrats (CDU) as senior coalition partner now also falls for the voices of the sirens, then the German reason of state will soon be a thing of the past! The fact that it seems to be dependent on just one party is a political disaster already and a warning sign for Germany as a whole. I am grateful to read that there is an open debate within the CDU/CSU parliamentary group taking place. It is clear that the CSU and some in the CDU are taking clear countermeasures. Merz and Wadephul were rightly criticized. The legacy of Germany's first chancellor, Konrad Adenauer (CDU), who laid the foundation for German Israeli reconciliation together with David Ben Gurion after the Shoah is at stake! Who can still hold back and protect what needs to be protected?
We read desperate messages from our Jewish friends that the time to pack their bags has come. A growing number of them feel that Jewish life in Germany no longer has a future. Beware: The hatred that begins with Jews never ends with Jews. I fear for Germany! Dear buddies, the canary in our coal mine is slowly running out of air! Time to escape the invisible poison! The God of Israel will take care of his people Israel, as he has always done, but what will become of our people if we squander the great grace of the second chance?
Josias Terschüren is the Director for Public Affairs at Christians for Israel Germany.
