'Israel, Germany share special connection'
Understanding between our young people is the foundation for a joint future, German President Christian Wulff says in exclusive interview in honor of visit to Jewish state
Alongside the swastikas, the unknown assailants added Nazi slogans like "Jews, drop dead." Wulff, who served at the time as chairman of his school's student union, decided to initiate a protest against the desecration of the synagogue.
Those days, about 33 years ago, such a procession was not an obvious thing in Germany. "It was essentially the first public political activity I had ever initiated," recalls Wulff, who today serves as Germany's president.
Wulff, a member of the Christian Democratic Party, was appointed to the most senior position in Germany last summer in what was said to be a big surprise. His predecessor, senior economist Horst Köhler, resigned in late May after being criticized for remarks he made in favor of using military force to defense economic interests.
After many deliberations, Chancellor Angela Merkel deiced to present Wulff as her party's candidate for the top symbolic role. Until then, Wulff had served as prime minister of the state of Lower Saxony. Following a nerve-racking race against the left-wing candidate, Wulff became united Germany's fifth president.
Wulff with Peres. Focusing on future of bilateral relations (Photo: AFP)
Wulff, 51, is not just the youngest president in Germany's history. He also brought along to Bellevue Palace an unusual and non-conservative presidential family. His beautiful second wife, Bettina, 37, was a single mother before they married and gave him a son two years ago.
The new spirit introduced by Wulff has also led to a slightly different treatment of the president by the press. TV host and author Charlotte Rosche suggested that he spend a night with her if he refuses to sign into law the extension of the country’s nuclear power stations. Wulff did not respond to the offer.
"I feel the citizens are supportive of the fact that a family with small children has moved into the president's palace," Wulff says in a special interview to Yedioth Ahronoth, conducted before his visit to Israel.
"We have children in high school, in elementary school and in kindergarten. As a father I experience many daily problems of every family. My wife is very supportive of me thanks to her commitment, ties and experience. She was a single parent, I was divorced. Naturally, these experiences affect our work as well."
Facing the future with hope
Wulff arrived in Israel on Saturday night for his first official visit since taking office five months ago. He insisted on including the Jewish state among his first destinations abroad.
Israel, on its part, is going out of its way to express its appreciation for the new German president: His counterpart Shimon Peres accompanied him on a tour of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited him to a private meal at his home.
Wulff, the first German president born after World War II, has already visited Israel many times in the past, but views his first presidential visit to the Holy Land as particularly important. As a member of Germany's young generation of leaders, he is interested in stressing the continuation of the special connection between Israel and Germany. This is the reason he decided to bring along his eldest daughter from his first marriage, 17-year-old Annalena.
"My country's responsibility for the crimes of the Holocaust constitutes for us Germans an ongoing commitment to vouch for Israel's right to exist," Wulff says. "This responsibility is part of the German identity and we must fill it with life. Therefore, it was very important to me to come to Israel for a few days at the start of my term and clarify the great importance we attribute to the uniqueness of our relations.
"Recognizing the Israeli citizens' right to safe and recognized border and to life free of violence and fear is a consistent and unchanging principle of the German policy. As far as we are concerned, Israel's security is non-negotiable. I say it everywhere. Only recently I made such a statement at Turkey's Grand National Assembly.
"This basically means that Germany is working together with its partners in any way possible to find a diplomatic solution for the threat stemming from the Iranian nuclear program."
At Yad Vashem. 'Responsibility for the Holocaust is part of the German identity' (Photo: AFP)
Wulff stresses the importance of maintaining the relations in the present, as well as maintaining the memory of the past. "We feel responsible for guaranteeing that the memory of the horrors of the Holocaust will not weaken, even when those who experienced it will no longer be with us.
"I believe that the members of my generation and our children must maintain the memory of the Holocaust, support Jewish life in Germany and fight anti-Semitism uncompromisingly.
"As a young man I organized demonstrations of solidarity with the Jewish community in my hometown after an attack on the synagogue. I was already convinced then that we cannot tolerate such a thing and must not keep quiet. Later, as the prime minister of Lower Saxony, I worked for the establishment of new synagogues, a documentation center at the Bergen-Belsen camp, and a center for synagogue music."
In recent years, in light of the negative change in the German public opinion towards Israel, there are those in Germany who are calling for an end to the special relations between the two countries. Wulff strongly rejects these calls.
"Those who make such demands are demanding the impossible," he says. "We cannot separate from such a significant part of history and of our self-perception. So I am fully convinced that the connection tying Germany to Israel is special and will remain special.
"Israel, by the way, is the only non-European country we hold governmental consultations with, based on our unique relations, the values of freedom and democracy we share and the mutual interests in many fields. I am pleased that the next consultations which will take place in Israel in January 2011 will be devoted to matters of the future like climate protection, renewed energies, research and youth exchange programs. This points to the diverse and deep relations between Germany and Israel. I see a lot of dynamics and huge potential for the future."
Wulff's itinerary in Israel includes a visit to the Hebrew University, and the solar energy plant in Beit Shemesh, which was bought about a year ago by German conglomerate Siemens.
"I would like to express what connects Israelis and Germans in the future and present," the German president stresses. "I think, for instance, about our economic and scientific cooperation in advanced technologies like solar energy or advanced medical research for the development of treatments for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.
"The future of our bilateral relations will also be at the focus of my talks with President Peres. The German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation, an initiative of the presidents of both countries, contributes to the understanding between young people from Israel and Germany. I am convinced that focusing on the young generation is the critical elements, as understanding between young people from our countries is the foundation for a joint future."
How can Germany contribute to normalization between Israel and its neighbors?
"We support the current efforts to resume talks between Israel and the Palestinians with all our might. I don't see an alternative for the two-state solution. I am fearful that the chances to end the conflict will diminish if all sides fail to see the required willingness for compromises and develop trust. At the end of my visit I also wish to bolster (Palestinian) President (Mahmoud) Abbas to continue the peace process."
Unusual stand
Unlike other heads of state who visit Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Wulff – who comes from a Catholic home – decided not to meet with Abbas in Ramallah, but in Bethlehem, which has been losing its Christian residents in the past few years.
Wulff's visit to the Jesus' birthplace expresses his great concern for the future of Christians in the Middle East. During his visit to Turkey several weeks ago, his hosts appeared quite unsatisfied when he insisted on visiting a local church.
"The situation of the Christians in the Middle East, as well as the situation of all other religious minorities, is very close to my heard," Wulff clarifies. "The possibilities for a free religious life vary from country to country. We are in contact with the minorities and the government on this issue if needed.
"During my travels I hold a dialogue with representatives of the Christian communities, and I will do the same during my visit to Israel. Ties between the monotheistic religions must improve."
Wulff, who is considered a dull politician, surprised Germans recently when he voiced an unusual stand during the stormy public debate over the failed absorption of Muslim immigrants.
"Islam is part of Germany," he declared in a speech on the anniversary of the country's reunification. The conservative camp Wulff comes from was not very happy with this statement.
"Europe is affected by the Christian-Jewish culture," the president explains. "The reformation, education and secularism all belong to our history. We live in a free society where the freedom of religion is dominant. Any person can live according to his or her religion and worldview. So can the Muslims. But every person must also respect other people's freedom and the rules of life we share. Islamic and fundamentalist opinions are not in line with our constitution."
Do you see Turkey, and perhaps even Israel, in the European Union in the future?
"Israel has very strong ties with the EU. For example, it has been successfully participating in its research program for years. Germany wants the relations between Israel and the EU to become more intensive.
"As for Turkey, as Germans it is our great interest to see it move forward towards Europe. The EU and Turkey have been negotiating a membership since 2005. Will the talks end with a full Turkish membership in the EU? That depends on how the development of the negotiations. They must be held openly and fairly. I believe Turkey has already obtained certain things and must make every effort to guarantee a successful continuation."
Studies published in Germany recently indicate that parts of the German population are losing their faith in politicians and democracy. The number of vibrant street protests is growing, and yet Wulff is not concerned about his country's future.
"Germany is an active and strong democracy. We emerged from the economic and financial crisis better than most industrialized countries. We have all the reasons to look at the future with hope.
"Naturally, there are challenges we share with many others: The demographic changes, environmental protection and our basic natural living conditions, as well as the change of political forces in the world. We must adjust to these changes and design them actively. This is the meaning of political leadership. It requires open and honest communication with the citizens.
"I sense a growing need among the population for options to take part in political decisions, not only at times of elections. We must take this seriously and look for new ways of transparency and cooperation with the public opinion when it comes to complicated projects. This way politics will gain both the trust and the citizens' participation."
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