Dörthe Engelcke/Elad Lapidot/Alex Müller: Steinmeier in Israel: Zu Besuch bei einem Angeklagten [Steinmeier in Israel: Visiting an accused man], taz, May 14, 2025.
The state visit with military honors for Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Berlin and the subsequent visit by German President Steinmeier to Israel are emblematic of the double standards of German foreign policy—and of the cowardice of German politicians in clearly naming Israeli war crimes for what they are. Federal President Steinmeier described the foundation of German-Israeli relations as “deep and sustainable.” It carries “the memory of the past as well as the shared values of two liberal democracies based on the rule of law” (translated by the editors). These statements reveal the extent of Germany’s denial of reality. While a trapped, starving, and traumatized civilian population continues to be systematically wiped out in Gaza, Germany celebrates 60 years of diplomatic relations with hollow symbolic gestures, photo opportunities, and demonstrative displays of friendship. At this point in time, this visit can hardly be understood as anything other than diplomatic backing for the genocide of the Palestinian people.
The 60th anniversary of German-Israeli relations could have been commemorated differently. There was an alternative to this grotesque spectacle. The German president could have met with critical academics, journalists, and representatives of civil society who are coming under increasing pressure in Israel. That would have been a symbolic gesture that Germany supports those voices that stand up for democracy, human rights, and peace. Instead, what remains is a missed opportunity—and the depressing realization that with politicians who are incapable of clearly condemning the killing of over 17,000 children in Gaza, fascism can return to Germany at any time.
Before the state visit, KriSol appealed to Federal Minister Steinmeier: “Use the anniversary celebrations as an opportunity to send a signal for an end to violence, for justice and for humanity. Invite Israeli peace activists, human rights defenders, critical journalists and intellectuals, Holocaust survivors, Palestinian citizens of Israel, and committed civil society organizations such as Standing Together, Israelis for Peace, Breaking the Silence, and B’Tselem. Strengthening these voices would send an important signal in the current situation—both to the people in the region and to the international community—that Germany is not selectively but consistently committed to human rights and international law” (translated by the editors).