Germany Embraces 2nd Holocaust
On Tuesday 18th March the German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the Knesset in German. This in itself caused controversy with several Members of the Knesset (MKs) not attending due to the inappropriateness felt at the German language being used in the Knesset. In her speech Merkel assured the Knesset of Germany’s continuing support for Israel and of the shame felt by Germans at the Shoah, the Hebrew word for the Holocaust. This support includes $39.4 billion paid to Holocaust survivors in Israel and the specially fitted submarines that are currently being built in Germany for Israel.
Has Merkel not questioned the Israeli government on allegations that compensation destined for Holocaust victims has not been passed on to these victims? Why is Germany now arming Israel, although legally banned from exporting arms to crises regions? Germany is now one of Israel's major arms suppliers. Surely alarm bells must have been ringing throughout Germany when the Deputy Defence Minister of Israel, Matan Vilnai promised a Shoah in Gaza. It appears that some Shoahs, in Merkel’s view, warrant recognition and compensation for the victims, whilst others are to be actively supported.
Whilst it is understandable that Germany feels guilt for the Holocaust, it has recognised the crimes carried out and is compensating the victims of these crimes. It must not allow this guilt to be cynically manipulated by the Zionists into complicity with Israeli crimes. If anything positive is to come out of the suffering of the victims of the Holocaust then it must surely be to prevent further crimes against humanity. Germany is in a unique position to show that these lessons have been learnt and these crimes must not be repeated.
Merkel cut a particularly pathetic figure “bowing” before the Knesset and playing to this gallery thereby dragging Germany into complicity with the Israeli abuses against humanity. Her reward for debasing herself and the country she purports to represent was a standing ovation from the MKs present. Responsibility for a holocaust belongs not only with those who carry it out but also with those who support it.
The way forward from the Holocaust must be to recognise and atone for these crimes. Germany is already doing this. Germany must have the courage to strongly criticise the Israeli regime in it’s violation of human rights. Current engagement with Israel is not making any difference to the crimes being carried out by Israel and a more courageous approach must be taken. Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS). This is the only way the Israeli government will take any notice of criticism and consider changing their behaviour, and more Israelis will start to question their country’s behaviour.
If your government is not willing to support the growing, global BDS Campaign against Israel then individuals can become actively involved and take part in an effective campaign to ensure justice is achieved. The alternative is another generation of Germans living with the shame brought about by their government’s enthusiastic support for human rights violations, however this time they should have known better.
Tom McVitie
(Tom McVitie is a member of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, affiliated to PSC-UK. This article represents his personal views, not necessarily those of the Campaign)