Germany and the Israel–Hamas war

During the Israel–Hamas war, which began in October 2023, the German government's support for Israel has attracted significant media attention and commentary.

Background

See also: Germany–Israel relations and Israel–Hamas war

On 7 October 2023, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip led by Islamic movement Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in the deaths of almost 1200 Israeli citizens, including 800 civilians, and taking 250 hostages. Following the attack, Israel launched an invasion of Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 45 000 Gazans, as of December 2024.

Government position

On 17 October 2024, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Israel, stating that "German history and our responsibility arising from the Holocaust make it our duty to stand up for the existence and security of the State of Israel." On 12 October 2024, Scholz stated that "there is only one place for Germany: alongside Israel," repeating that "Israel's security is a 'reason of state' for Germany."

On the first anniversary of the attack, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier gave a speech describing the attack as a "was a watershed moment, a profound trauma for Jews not only in Israel, but throughout the world," and warned "us Germans in particular against any heedless condemnation of Israel."

The German government has also consistently denied that a genocide is taking place in Gaza. In Decmeber 2024, after Amnesty International released a report accusing Israel of genocide, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Sebastian Fischer stated that "genocide presupposes a clear intention to eradicate an ethnic group. I still do not recognize any such clear intention."

Foreign policy

Human rights funding

Following the 7 October attacks, the German government has cut funding for at least six Palestinian NGOs. In January 2025, the German government cut its funding for Israeli NGOs Zochrot, which works to raise awareness of the Nakba, and New Profile, a feminist group that works against military conscription.

United Nations

On 27 October 2023, Germany abstained on a United Nations General Assembly vote calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, citing the fact that the motion did not include a condemnation of the 7 October attack. Germany again abstained on a UN General Assembly motion calling for a ceasefire on 12 December 2023.

Weapons exports

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Germany accounted for 30% of weapons imports into Israel between 2019 and 2023. The amounts of German arms exports towards Israel initially rose sharply in the last months of 2023, following the 7 October attack. In the first half of 2024, however, German arms exports towards Israel significantly decreased. From August to October 2024, the German government authorised 94 million euros worth of arms exports to Israel.

Domestic policies

Changes in legislation

In December 2023, the state of Saxony-Anhalt amended its laws on citizenship applications, requiring all those living in the state to sign a document that they "recognise Israel’s right to exist and condemn any efforts directed against the existence of the State of Israel." In 2024, the federal government amended its law on citizenship to add questions about the right of the State of Israel to exist in the mandatory test to gain citizenship.

In June 2024, the federal government passed a law requiring all projects applying for public grants to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism, recognise the right of the State of Israel to exist, and did participate in the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement.

Political parties and organisations

Political parties

Left-wing party Die Linke has faced significant internal turmoil over its stance on the Israel-Hamas War. Former Die Linke MP Christine Buchholz has accused the party of "failing to adequately respond to one of the central political conflicts – the protests against the war in Gaza and the ongoing disenfranchisement and dehumanisation of Palestinians by the State of Israel, with the German government at its side."

Protests

Anti-war protests

A number of student protests against the Israel–Hamas war have been held in Germany since the start of the war. The police response to the protests has attracted some controversy, with students alleging attacks on academic freedom, free speech, and incidents of police brutality.

Reactions

In Germany

Die Linke MP Nicole Gohlke has argued that "the Palestinian people’s suffering appears to be of no interest to the political establishment in Germany."