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Pro-Israeli demonstration in Berlin
Photo: AFP

Relations with Germany neglected

Despite Germany's key role, Israel neglects ties with most important EU ally

Berlin: Mrs. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, I am permitting myself to appeal to you from this platform in the hope that a matter that can no longer be delayed be attended to post haste: I am referring to the neglect of our relations with Germany.

 

The condition of our embassy in Berlin is symptomatic of a disease. In keeping with the importance of the relations with this country and central role it plays in Europe, the Israeli embassy in Germany is the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world after Washington.

 

And what does this key embassy look like you may well ask? Ambassador Shimon Stein's term in office has been extended twice while a replacement has yet to be found, and in all likelihood this large embassy will remain empty by next summer.

 

Since last autumn the embassy has no spokesperson. This function is carried out by the ambassador himself, who is already inundated with other activities, while the replacement for the former spokesperson is only due to arrive in the summer. The delay in the change of guards stemmed from the fact that suitable German speaking candidates willing to take the job simply could not be found.

 

During the past few months the embassy hasn't had a political advisor and the cultural department has come to a virtual standstill. Public affairs suffer from inadequate financial resources. And all this is taking place at a time when Germany has taken the leadership role in the European Union presidency and in the group of G8 industrialized nations, playing a key role in world politics.

 

I have no idea what type of reports pertaining to the real relations between Germany and Israel reach your table, and whether these reports receive adequate attention. But I can confirm that as of late the German public's attitude towards their country's ties with Israel has significantly deteriorated, and all attempts to improve Israel's international status haven't been successful.

 

For some, Israel has become a burden

At a time when it is so easy to enlist support for Israel in face of the Iranian threat and ongoing aggression by the Palestinians and Hizbullah, voices in Germany are increasingly calling to end the special relationship with the Jewish state, which established itself on commemoration of the Holocaust. There are those in the German establishment who welcome this development and encourage it. In their view we have long become a burden.

 

A demonstration of support for Israel and condemnation of Iran held at the end of January in Berlin attracted only a few hundred participants. The bad weather and lack of organization contributed to the meager turnout, but the real reason for the small number of participants - including those from the local Jewish community - is the German public's disinterest in taking to the streets on Israel's behalf, not to mention taking further action.

 

Left wing sources among the Jewish community recently published a petition titled "The Berlin Declaration" that calls, among other things, on the German government "to no longer accept the Israeli occupation, and to oblige Israel to recognize the injustice of the Palestinian expulsion." Thousands have signed the petition thus far.

 

How much longer can we continue to ignore this situation and act as though nothing is happening? Israel and its cabinet undoubtedly have more urgent matters to attend to, but perhaps it would do well to devote a little more thought and planning to the relationship with our most important ally in Europe, prior to another commission of inquiry being established to investigate the shortcomings of Israel's foreign affairs.

 


פרסום ראשון: 02.13.07, 23:28
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