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Angela Merkel on Israel

Q: What is Angela Merkel's position on Israel?

Angela Merkel's position is defined by the concept of *Staatsräson*, establishing Israel's security as a fundamental German national interest due to historical responsibility. She was a consistent advocate for the security and democratic existence of Israel throughout her tenure as Chancellor.

Q: How did Angela Merkel's view on Israel change over time?

While the core principle of *Staatsräson* remained, her approach became more complex, especially in her later years when relations with Prime Minister Netanyahu were strained over settlement policy. She was willing to publicly disagree with Israeli policy when it undermined the two-state path.

Staatsräson advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Angela Merkel firmly established Israel's security as a core component of German state reason, or Staatsräson.

Key Points

She famously declared Israel's security a non-negotiable part of Germany's Staatsräson (reason of state) during a 2008 address to the Knesset.
Her government supported the sale of German-built Dolphin-class submarines to Israel, despite such sales potentially violating German arms export laws.
Merkel advocated for a two-state solution, stating the goal must be a Jewish State of Israel side by side with a viable Palestinian state as of 2011.

Summary

Angela Merkel consistently affirmed that Israel's security was a non-negotiable element of Germany's Staatsräson, or reason of state, a commitment she first popularized in a 2008 address to the Knesset. This principle, rooted in Germany's historical responsibility for the Holocaust, elevated Israel's security to the level of vital national interest, comparable to alliances like NATO and the EU. Her government operationalized this stance through actions like the sale of Dolphin-class submarines to Israel and by advocating for Israel's inclusion in research programs. She also promoted shared democratic values and interests, viewing a two-state solution as the necessary goal for resolving the Middle East conflict.

However, the commitment was never absolute, and Merkel's administration demonstrated limits to this support, particularly regarding the peace process and settlement expansion under Prime Minister Netanyahu. While she publicly pushed for compromises from Israel, especially concerning settlement construction, her government also abstained from certain UN votes critical of Israel, believing German Middle East policy must align with its own national interests and partnership goals, such as engaging with the Global South. Her emphasis on Staatsräson was later revived domestically to combat rising antisemitism, yet it also drew criticism for potentially justifying unconditional support for Israeli government policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Angela Merkel's position on Israel?

Angela Merkel's position is defined by the concept of Staatsräson, establishing Israel's security as a fundamental German national interest due to historical responsibility. She was a consistent advocate for the security and democratic existence of Israel throughout her tenure as Chancellor.

Did Angela Merkel support a two-state solution?

Yes, she publicly stated that a two-state solution was the clear goal for the Middle East conflict as early as 2011. She viewed supporting Israel in achieving this goal as a central part of her Staatsräson formulation.

How did Angela Merkel's view on Israel change over time?

While the core principle of Staatsräson remained, her approach became more complex, especially in her later years when relations with Prime Minister Netanyahu were strained over settlement policy. She was willing to publicly disagree with Israeli policy when it undermined the two-state path.