Merkel: Germany Will Never Abandon Israel
German Chancellor (the equivalent of, say, a Prime Minister) Angela Merkel became the first (German) chancellor to give a speech before the Israeli Knesset yesterday. It was a historical day; a day, we could say, that signified Israel’s capacity to forgive, and Germany’s capacity to break with a past filled with hatred for Jews.
In her speech, she didn’t criticize Israel’s foreign policy; her speech was aimed at deepening Israeli-German ties.
As said, it was a historical day yesterday. Sure there were Israeli critics, who argued that since Germany was responsible for the holocaust Merkel shouldn’t be allowed to speak before the Knesset (some calling German the “language of the murderers”), but overall, the majority of Israelis and of Israeli politicians welcomed Merkel.
A few members of parliament stayed away, but the far, far majority attended the speech and, when she was finished, gave Merkel a standing ovation.
The Spiegel explains that although the “content of the speech was nothing new,” it was still a good speech because “Merkel managed to speak graciously, choosing the appropriate tone for the occasion. After recognizing the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the State of Israel, Merkel launched into an extensive discussion of Germany’s past.”
In this regard she said - and this is an extremely important moment in history: “The Shoah is a source of great shame to Germans. I bow to the victims. I bow to the survivors and to all those who helped them survive.” She also admitted that it took the whole of Germany more than 40 years to take full responsibility for the Holocaust.
As for the current situation in the Middle East, Merkel said: “Germany stands firmly behind the vision of two states within secure borders and living in peace, for both the Jewish people in Israel and the Palestinian people in Palestine.” She added: “I say this clearly and unequivocally: the Qassam attacks by Hamas must cease. Terrorist attacks are crimes, and they contribute no solution to the conflict that overshadows the region and the daily lives of people in Israel, as well as the lives of people in the Palestinian Autonomous Territories.”
Finally, she said that Germany will “never abandon Israel, but instead will remain a loyal partner and friend.”
And lets hope that indeed to be the case. If there’s one country in the world that should stand by Israel, it’s Germany. But, again, it’s good to see that both countries involved, and both peoples involved, seem to able to let go of anger, bitterness and hatred, and move on.
A great many other countries and peoples in the world can learn from that, me thinks.
As long as not abandoning Israel entails abandoning Palestinians.
I agree with Germany’s pro Israel policy, but I think that being more stringent with Iran would be a good way to help Israel further.