On May 12, 1965, Germany and Israel embarked on an unprecedented step by establishing diplomatic relations, despite the bitter memories of World War II and the genocide of European Jews still lingering in the air. Even after eight decades since the end of the war, ties with Israel remain of utmost importance but are fraught with difficulty.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is set to visit Berlin to commemorate this milestone. Alongside German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, they plan to honor the victims of the Holocaust at the Grunewald station, from where over 10,000 Jews were deported to concentration camps during the Nazi era.
Aware of rising antisemitism among the youth especially since the escalation in the Gaza Strip, Herzog and Steinmeier will engage with young people from both nations. They will also travel to Israel to visit a kibbutz bordering Gaza.
During former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Israel in 2008, she underscored Germany’s “Staatsräson” – a special political responsibility towards Israel’s existence and security. The maxim, while non-legal, continues to guide Germany’s relationship with Israel.
Germany remains committed to Israel’s right to self-defense, despite criticism of its actions in Gaza. Critics argue that Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip has led to severe humanitarians crises, with over 52,600 fatalities reported.
New Chancellor Friedrich Merz, from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), recognized the gravity of the situation, emphasizing Germany’s concern and their upcoming diplomatic efforts.
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others over alleged war crimes. While Germany is obligated to honor these warrants, Merz hinted at finding solutions to manage Netanyahu’s visits to Germany.
The arrest warrants highlight the delicate balance in Germany’s relationship with Israel, strained further by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Despite previous visits from top German officials, Netanyahu’s last visit to Berlin was in March 2023.
Germany occasionally holds high-level “consultations” with Israel, indicating the depth of their bilateral relationship. The last such meeting occurred more than seven years ago.
This article was originally written in German.
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