Germans turn away from Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Germans turn away from Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip

In Germany, a clear majority of the population turns away from the previously critical solidarity with Israel. According to a recent survey by the ZDF Politbarometer, 80% of the respondents now consider the military use of Israel to be not justified in the Gaza Strip. This is an increase compared to March 2024, when 69% of this view were. Only 12% of Germans consider the military campaign to be appropriate. This fact comes against the background of high number of victims in the Palestinian civilian population, which is increasingly disturbing the German public.

In the past few months, the situation in the Gaza strip has escalated. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier recently visited Israel, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relationships, and expressed solidarity with the country. However, both Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul have changed their positions on the military campaign. Merz himself said that the current actions of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip can no longer be justified as a fight against Hamas terrorism.

political reactions in Germany

In the political landscape, cross -party criticism of Israel's approach in the Gaza Strip is growing. In view of the humanitarian disaster, several SPD politicians are calling for weapon exports to Israel. Foreign Minister WadePhul describes the situation as "unbearable". The SPD member of the Bundestag, Adis Ahmetovic, emphasizes that German weapons should not contribute to the humanitarian disaster and the break in international law. Ralf Stegner from the SPD also demands the end of the humanitarian disaster and breaks a lance against the Israeli government.

The SPD boss Lars Klingbeil appeals to Israel to respect international law, while CDU foreign politician Armin Laschet describes the Israeli approach as violent international law and stimulates more aid deliveries to Gaza.

escalation of the conflict

Since the beginning of the war, over 50,000 Palestinians have lost their lives and more than 100,000 were injured. The civilian population in Israel also suffers from the conflict: over 1,000 Israeli civilians and more than 400 IDF soldiers have died since the beginning of the war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pursues the goal of destroying Hamas with his military operations and creating a "new reality", but this goal still seems to be a long way off.

The United Nations warn of a "cruel phase" of the war, while UN Secretary General António Guterres speaks of a famine in Gaza. The conflict, triggered by the Hamas robbery on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, has not only beaten human but also political waves; The EU questions its partnership with Israel and calls for a weapon embargo to think. Spain follows the call to sanctions against Israel.

In the middle of this tense situation, a new mechanism for distributing relief goods in Gaza will be considered, which is to be operated by US security companies. The situation remains tense, and the demands for rethinking in German foreign policy with regard to the support for Israel will become louder.

The German public faces the challenge of finding a differentiated attitude that takes into account both humanitarian and security aspects of the conflict. It is clear that the previous policy requires a reassessment.

Compact-online.de , scholar.google.at , daily show.de