Israel’s security is Germany’s ‘reason of state’
Germany has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to Israel’s security, declaring it a fundamental component of its national interest, reports 24brussels.
The youth wing of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), led by Friedrich Merz, recently criticized any potential shift in this longstanding policy, suggesting that any reduction in support for Israel would represent a profound break from traditional conservative principles. “Reason of state abolished? A break with the principles of [conservative] policy,” they stated in an Instagram post.
This declaration stems from a 2008 speech by former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who emphasized Germany’s “special historical responsibility” towards Israel following the Holocaust, which resulted in the murder of six million Jews at the hands of the Nazi regime. Her assertion has since shaped German foreign policy regarding Israel.
Boris Rhein, the CDU’s state premier for Hesse, reiterated this stance on X, stating, “Israel’s security is and remains a matter of German national interest. Hamas can only be defeated in battle, not at the negotiating table. We must therefore continue to equip Israel to fight this battle, defeat Hamas and end terrorism.”
However, Merz faces increasing pressure amid dire humanitarian reports from Gaza. U.N. agencies have warned of escalating famine conditions, with food consumption and nutrition levels plummeting. The plight of Palestinians has prompted other European nations and members of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) to call for tangible actions, including reconsideration of the German blockade affecting the EU’s association agreement with Israel.
While Merz had recently signaled the possibility of re-evaluating Germany’s stance in light of humanitarian concerns, internal backlash from his party following a weekend disagreement has seemingly shifted his position. “We are not prepared to interfere with Israeli trade or trade with Israel. We have already fended off many attempts to do so, including in Europe,” he stated in a Sunday interview, reinforcing his commitment to maintaining unimpeded trade relations with Israel.
