Event Highlights: Germany and Israel – 50 Years after the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations: A Jewish Studies Forum with German Consul General Rolf Schuette
The Center for the Study of Europe co-sponsored last week’s Jewish Studies forum with German Consul General Rolf Schuette. The topic of discussion was German-Israeli relations since the historic reparations agreement signed by Chancellor Adenauer and Prime Minister Ben Gurion. Schuette began his talk by underscoring the strength of the relationship; unbeknownst to most American Jews, he said, Germany is one of Israel’s best friends. He said that the special relationship between Germany and Israel can only be explained on the basis of history and went on to describe how, over five decades, Germany became Israel’s third largest trading partner and one of it’s strongest diplomatic allies.
In the early 1950s, the interests of the two nations were aligned. Germany, Schuette said, was in the process of establishing itself as a member of the international community and viewed establishing relations with Israel as a path to legitimacy and acceptance by the west. Israel, after intense internal debate, recognized that it needed German reparation funds, to build its infrastructure and to shore up its military capability.
Over time Schuette said, the relationship was bolstered through civil society contacts, including 350 youth exchange programs, re-establishment of German citizenship for Jews who had left Germany after 1933, growing trade and investment, security and military cooperation, and numerous other channels. None of this, Schuette said, can be explained apart from the past and Germany’s responsibility for the Holocaust. Germany today regards Israeli security as part of its national interest and German leaders in recent decades have been reluctant to criticize Israel publicly.
However, Schuette explained, there are some causes for concern as guilt over the Holocaust recedes along with Israel’s favored nation status. While most Germans take a neutral position in the Palestinian conflict and believe both sides need to make compromises, many compare Israeli policy toward Palestinians with Nazi policy toward Jews. Criticism of Israeli behavior vis a vis Palestinians in Germany is at the level of France. Schuette cited a BBC poll listing Israel as one of the most unpopular countries in the world and another listing Israel as one of the countries which threaten world peace. Younger Germans, he said, are more willing to criticize Israel, and Israeli settlement politics in particular. Even if the government continues to exercise restraint, Schuette worried that “where popular sentiment leads, democratic governments follow.” He added that it is important to distinguish legitimate criticism of Israel from outright anti-Semitism in Europe.
In summarizing, Schuette reiterated his thesis that the German Israeli friendship can’t be explained apart from the past, though other factors, including trade, economics, and civil society contacts, have grown in importance over time. The past demands a special attention to Israeli interests and restraint in its criticism of Israeli politics. But there is a growing disconnect, especially among the younger generations, who have been critical of Israel. Ultimately, Schuette argued, the special relationship needs support of civil society. If Israel remains intransigent, he fears the relationship may become less and less special over time.