For those of us who hold Germany to a higher standard because of past behavior, we must praise Angela Merkel now. Her words of Israel's need for guaranteed security and an end to arms smuggling through the Gaza-Egypt border are the right ones, and most welcome from a European leader. The only sour note is what we hear, or don't hear, from political leaders in other Germany parties, and even from some within her own party. When it comes to Israel, these others haven't a clue.

... Hamas denies to recognize and accept the state of Israel. Obviously this war started because Hamas and other extremist groups under Hamas control were terrorizing and attacking Southern Israel for more than seven years now. Obviously Hamas brought destruction and suffering for the population of Gaza. So obviously you have to demand nothing but instead clean up your own house... – because it is a Palestinian problem.