What It’s About
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left party encountered controversy when a lawmaker and vice president of the German parliament, Aydan Ozoguz, shared contentious posts regarding Israel. These posts, originally from the group Jewish Voice for Peace, depicted airstrikes in Gaza while accusing Israel of genocide. The situation prompted diplomatic reactions from Israel’s ambassador and German political figures.
Why It Matters
Germany has been a staunch supporter of Israel, especially in recent conflicts against Hamas. The discord arises as Berlin not only provides military support but constantly calls for peace and the release of hostages by Hamas. Allegations questioning Israel’s actions in Gaza risk undermining the nation’s strong bilateral relations with Germany.
Allegations and Responses
The posts ignored the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, focusing instead on allegations against Israeli countermeasures targeting militarized command centers. The Israeli side attributes the violence to necessary defense actions. The accusations and subsequent apologies starkly contrast Germany’s historical foreign policy direction under Chancellor Scholz.
Official Reactions
Ron Prosor, Israeli ambassador to Germany, criticized the lawmaker for questioning Israel’s right to exist. Significant German figures like Volker Beck and parliamentary members from the CDU/CSU group voiced strong disapproval. Volker Beck mentioned a “red line” being crossed, insisting defense of Israel shouldn’t be compromised by false narratives.
Germany’s Stance
Despite the incident, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, emphasizing Germany’s consistent support, explicitly rejected claims of genocide at a recent press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan—a known Hamas supporter. Bas, another Social Democrat, firmly stated that there’s no room for circulating anti-Zionist sentiments within the political framework.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.