Since the October 2023 attack by Palestinian resistance on Israel, Germany has emerged as Israel’s second-largest arms supplier, providing 30 percent of its military imports, second only to the United States. This level of unwavering support highlights a deeply entrenched alliance driven by Germany’s historical guilt over the Holocaust, a burden that continues to shape its foreign and domestic policies in ways that often contradict its principles of justice and human rights.
Arms and Allegiances
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Germany’s arms exports to Israel surpass those of the United Kingdom, France, and Italy combined. While U.S. support for Israel is widely attributed to strategic interests and domestic political dynamics, Germany’s motivations are more complex, rooted in its Nazi-era crimes against European Jews.
This historical burden has led to an unusual dynamic in which Germany not only supplies weapons but also shields Israel from international scrutiny. Despite mounting evidence of war crimes in Gaza, Berlin consistently defends Israel’s actions under the guise of “self-defense.”
Guilt as Policy
Germany’s relationship with Israel goes beyond military support. The country pays over $500 million annually in reparations to Holocaust survivors, a commitment reflective of its effort to atone for the past. However, this moral reckoning seems narrowly focused on one group, with little acknowledgment of other victims of Nazi atrocities, including European minorities and African communities in Namibia.
This selective compassion is evident in Germany’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While professing a commitment to human rights, Berlin has supported policies and rhetoric that marginalize Palestinians. For example, German international broadcaster DW updated its code of conduct in 2022, requiring employees to support “Israel’s right to exist” and threatening termination for those who violate this rule. Critics argue this stifles legitimate criticism of Israeli policies, including its treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories.
Suppressing Pro-Palestinian Voices
Germany’s pro-Israel stance has extended to suppressing pro-Palestinian sentiment. Amid widespread protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza, German authorities have criminalized certain Palestinian symbols and restricted demonstrations. Human Rights Watch has condemned these measures as discriminatory and disproportionate, warning they could alienate Germany’s large Muslim and Arab populations.
Berlin’s policy has even impacted citizenship laws. A change enacted in June 2024 requires applicants to recognize Israel’s right to exist, raising concerns about how this will be enforced and whether it infringes on free expression.
Contradictions and Hypocrisy
The German government frequently invokes “reason of state” to justify its unwavering support for Israel. This vague concept is defined as a government’s pursuit of actions it deems essential for political survival, regardless of ethical considerations. Yet, framing Israel’s existence as integral to Germany’s statehood undermines the universality of human rights and contradicts the principles of democracy.
The same Germany that upholds freedom of speech and a free press has enforced rigid red lines on criticizing Israel. Mainstream media outlets like DW avoid using terms such as “apartheid” to describe Israel’s policies, despite widespread adoption of this term by international human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
Beyond Historical Guilt
Germany’s uncritical support for Israel raises important questions about the limits of atonement. While the horrors of the Holocaust warrant acknowledgment and restitution, they should not justify turning a blind eye to human rights abuses. The German government’s actions appear increasingly hypocritical, as it champions justice for one group while enabling the suffering of another.
As Berlin continues to shield Israel diplomatically and militarily, the world watches its policies with growing unease. Germany’s alliance with Israel, fueled by guilt rather than balanced diplomacy, risks perpetuating injustice and eroding the principles it claims to uphold.