Germany announced on July 28 that they intend to intensify diplomatic pressure against Israel over the Gaza humanitarian crisis, demanding they fully implement agreed measures allowing robust aid delivery and protecting Palestinian rights in light of widespread civilian suffering.
Berlin stands ready to take further steps against Israel to alleviate the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and pledges made in diplomatic agreements must translate to tangible improvements on-the-ground, according to Berlin spokesperson Friedrich Merz (Washington Post, Anadolu Ajansi and The Guardian)
Last week, Germany joined with France and Britain in issuing a statement–following French President Emmanuel Macron’s shock announcement of future Palestinian state recognition–demanding Israel allow unrestricted humanitarian access and calling for an immediate ceasefire. While all three stated their readiness for further actions (though none specified specific punitive ones), Germany stopped short of making commitments of punitive actions. (Der Deutsche Welle +3 +Euronews+AP News =3).
Pressures are also mounting domestically; SPD lawmakers, including Cabinet Minister Reem Alabali Radovan, have called on Germany to adopt a tougher stance toward Israel, such as suspending their association agreement or restricting arms exports flagged as violating international law (Reuters).
German Foreign Minister Demands Implementation
On July 24, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made it clear that recently-agreed upon accords between Europe and Israel on humanitarian access must now be quickly implemented, emphasizing how important it was that Palestinians have the right to remain in Gaza post-conflict. Germany pledged its monitoring local compliance across Gaza.
Wadephul had previously voiced criticisms against Israel regarding their continued settlement expansion in the West Bank, characterizing it as inimical to reaching a two-state solution. At a previous press conference with Israel’s foreign minister he called for increased aid flows into Gaza in line with international law obligations (politico.eu +10, Reuters +10) (Wadephul).
Frictions and Strategic Constraints
Germany’s evolving posture emerges amid longstanding tensions within its coalition: Chancellor Merz has traditionally justified Germany’s approach toward Israel by invoking Holocaust history as justification; some coalition members feel otherwise, and believe the principle of “never again” requires tougher measures now in Gaza context (Reuters +1) (politico.eu +1).
Germany remains one of Israel’s major arms suppliers–constituting roughly 30 percent of their imports–yet recent approvals have significantly declined, due to legal challenges and mounting scrutiny over possible violations of human rights law and humanitarian norms. [Sources].
Humanitarian Emergency and External Pressure
Humanitarian indicators have reached unprecedented levels: UNICEF and MSF have reported widespread malnutrition among children and pregnant women; UN agencies have warned that aid entering Gaza remains severely insufficient to avert famine catastrophe (The Guardian; Al Jazeera);
Reports indicate over two million Palestinians may face starvation as aid is cut off, prompting an international outrage and prompting political outrage in Germany and elsewhere. (AP News/POLITICO).
As European leaders deliberate on their next moves, Germany–which increasingly presents itself as an advocate of moderation within the EU–is considering options including potential economic or diplomatic measures to hold Israel to account if aid access does not improve.
Germany’s current strategy marks an important change: from cautious criticism to an increased willingness to increase measures if Israel fails to fulfill humanitarian obligations. Berlin appears poised to shift away from historical responsibility toward more assertive leverage; whether these measures take the form of sanctions, diplomatic warnings or parliamentary pressure remains unknown but pressure on Israel appears set to intensify significantly.