On January 27, 1945, Soviet Red Army forces entered the Auschwitz death camp, and the scenes that confronted them were horrifying. Eighty-one years after that atrocity, in a scenario that sometimes seems illogical, Israel and Germany have become allies. Germans defend Israel in the international arena, and Israel even provides military defense for Germany.
In a special and exclusive interview marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, German Foreign Minister Dr. Johann Wadephul, 62, one of Israel's most prominent friends in the German Parliament, explains why Germany will continue purchasing weapons from Israel and supporting it in the international arena, why it decided to impose sanctions on Israel during the war, whether the future generation of Germany is forgetting the Holocaust, his views on what's happening in Iran, and how to combat the fact that Jews fear wearing Jewish symbols in Germany.
Eighty-one years after the Holocaust, Germany's skies are protected by an Israeli missile interception system. What emotions does this evoke in you today, on International Holocaust Day?
"Today, on January 27, in the exact period you're speaking about, the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp was liberated. Auschwitz embodies the monstrous crime of the Holocaust – a crime planned, carried out and executed by Germans, in German. This is our responsibility – and also my responsibility as minister – to commemorate the memory of this indescribable wrong. From this stems the central lesson: we stand firmly for Israel's existence and security. This is an unchanging core principle in our relations with Israel.
"Today, Israel, the state where Holocaust victims found refuge, also contributes to Germany's security. A tangible expression of this is the purchase of the Arrow 3 air defense system from Israel. The very fact that this is even possible today fills me with humility."
The younger generation's commitment to the Holocaust is weakening, and young people are voting more than before for extremist parties. Are you concerned that a young German generation will emerge in the future that forgets the Holocaust?
"The rise of right-wing parties across Europe concerns me greatly. This is especially true given the support they receive among young people. The fact that many young people have never heard of the Holocaust shocks me: in Germany this is true for more than one in 10 teenagers or young adults. We must change this urgently. Memory is not something that can be taken for granted. We must persevere and act daily to keep it alive."
The young generation forgets
Many Jews in Germany today fear wearing a kippah on the street or wearing a Star of David necklace, while Israelis visiting Germany fear speaking Hebrew in certain areas, including Berlin. What can be done?
"In the past two years, the number of crimes with an antisemitic background in Germany has reached a new peak. The fact that Jews say 'I no longer feel safe in Germany,' or that they warn their children not to speak Hebrew in public, shames me to the depths of my soul. Therefore, the federal government fights all expressions of antisemitism sharply and consistently with determination.
"Jewish women and men are a natural and inseparable part of our society – and I want them to be able to feel this way without any reservation."
Germany led the European effort to absorb refugees from the Middle East. This move cannot be disconnected from the antisemitic outbursts. How can tolerance values toward Jews be instilled?
"At least since October 7, 2023, we have been experiencing a shameful and intolerable wave of antisemitism in our country and in other countries around the world. Sometimes, lack of understanding and accusations took the place of empathy and solidarity with the Jewish people.
"Criticism of any government's policy is legitimate. However, criticism of a sitting government in Israel does not automatically constitute criticism of the State of Israel. Certainly not of the entire Jewish people. Especially in Germany, we bear the historical responsibility to implement this distinction. Every antisemitic incident in Germany must spur us to expand – not reduce – our engagement in education and commemoration work."
The partial embargo
You are known as a friend of Israel who criticized the decisions of the previous government led by Olaf Scholz that decided on a weapons embargo against Israel. Yet, the current government also decided on sanctions. What's your response?
"You're referring to the chancellor's decision from August 2025. Decisions such as these are always considered very carefully. The German government's actions were preceded by a decision of the Israeli Security Cabinet last summer to take even sharper military actions in Gaza, and especially in Gaza City – at a period when the humanitarian situation there was already catastrophic. Therefore, the partial limitation of weapons exports was a clear political signal that we do not agree with this specific decision of the Israeli government. And I am convinced this message was received."
Despite enormous pressure, Germany continued supporting Israel in the European Union institutions and prevented the imposition of sanctions. How significant was the pressure?
"The constant need for coordination among the 27 European Union member states is routine. For me, it was always and remains clear: Germany is Israel's natural ally. As the German government, we express criticism through direct communication channels. This was always possible, especially thanks to my good relationship with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and the trust between us.
"There was also consensus regarding the priority that existed – to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible to release the Israeli hostages and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. By the way, these demands also had many partners in Israel. This ceasefire has been achieved in the meantime – through arduous and prolonged negotiations. Now the task is to ensure this achievement is preserved. Most importantly, the institutions that received the mandate from the UN Security Council must now be able to concretely maintain security in Gaza, and daily life in Gaza must be managed by the Palestinians themselves, without Hamas.
"Even when several states took a fundamentally different position, the German position was always respected."
Will Germany continue purchasing defense systems and combat means from Israel and selling weapons to Israel?
"Of course, because it serves our security and Israel's security. The German government makes every decision regarding weapons exports on its merits, but Israel is an exceptional partner in our cooperation in this field."
Germany supports the two-state solution idea. How realistic is it still? Why did the German government choose not to recognize a Palestinian state?
"The two-state solution concept is the best chance for a life of peace, security, and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians. From our perspective, there is no other realistic chance for sustainable peace.
"And in parallel, we also say: for us, recognition of a Palestinian state should occur at the end of a negotiation process. There is no point in such a state existing only on paper. It must also be capable of functioning. Germany is still willing to constructively accompany a negotiation process. What's important now is that the Hamas terror organization be disarmed."
How concerned is the German government that the Iranian regime has made destroying Israel its banner?
"Germany stands beside Israel in a clear and unequivocal manner. We have warned repeatedly against the Iranian regime's destructive role in the region, directed against Israel. Therefore, it was and remains clear: Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons. Together with E3 partners (France and Britain) – Germany has consistently used diplomatic means to deal with the threat of Iran's nuclear program. The Vienna nuclear agreement formula was quite simple: lifting sanctions in exchange for restrictions on the nuclear program. When it became clear that Iran was ignoring its commitments, we used the tools at our disposal and reactivated the sanctions."
"Enormous solidarity"
What do you think about the protests in Iran and the method of suppression? What do you think about the feeling of "double standards" regarding the world's attitude toward Israel?
"There is enormous solidarity in Germany with the protesters in Iran. The news coming from Iran in recent weeks is shocking: even the regime itself spoke of 5,000 killed in suppressing the protests. The real number is probably much higher.
"Let me be completely clear: a regime that apparently has no choice but to shoot its own people has lost all legitimacy. This is why we are now working in Brussels to add the Revolutionary Guards (Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) to the European Union's terror organizations list. Together with partners, we set a special session of the UN Human Rights Council last Friday to extend the fact-finding mission's mandate. Our goal is that the crimes committed will not go unpunished."
