German support for Israel in the Middle East war is met with a lot of criticism in the Arab world. Human rights activists accuse the government of double standards. Experts in this country are also warning that Germany is losing trust in its foreign policy.
In the Arab world, Germany probably stood for three things above all for a long time: football – of course, engineering skills, and: human rights. But the positive image that people had of Germany has begun to waver. If you ask around in Cairo, for example, many are disappointed. The reason: what they see as one-sided support for Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip.
“This is damaging Germany’s reputation,” says Soaad. “Germany is known as a defender of fundamental rights. But now they are ignoring the rights of those who are being killed in Gaza.” And Mostafa adds: “Just as we are already boycotting Israeli and American brands, perhaps we should also think about stopping buying German brands soon.” Yasser complains that Germany is such a progressive country. “Now this picture is becoming cloudy. They are wrongly supporting Israel.”
Lack of understanding and rejection
In Cairo’s streets, Germany’s stance in the war between Israel and the radical Islamist Hamas is met with incomprehension and rejection. Even though there are practically no official surveys as to what exactly people in the Near and Middle East think of Germany’s role, people now seem to be looking at the former place of longing with disappointment.
One person who has always had close contact with top German politicians and diplomats is the Egyptian activist Hossam Bahgat. He is one of the last defenders of human rights in Egypt and represents political prisoners with his organization “Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights”. It is not an easy task in a country where many people have been in prison, some of them for years without being charged.
“We don’t have any romantic ideas about world politics,” says Bahgat. “We know about double standards. And we know the history of Germany and its relations with Israel. But what we expected from Germany was a certain decency. We were shocked when Germany became a minority – even in the EU.”
Accusation of German double standards
Many here in Egypt followed how the Federal Republic defended Israel against accusations of genocide before the International Court of Justice, said Bahgat – and how German arms exports to Israel increased tenfold in 2023. Many were also disappointed to note that Germany had abstained from attending the United Nations for a long time when the question of a ceasefire was discussed.
There is always talk of double standards: While Germany has always loudly denounced civilian victims in Syria or Ukraine, for example, the death and suffering of the Palestinians is accepted.
“For us, Germany is part of the war”
In terms of foreign policy, this would have put Germany on the sidelines, says the Egyptian human rights activist. In addition, in his opinion, there is a ban on pro-Palestinian demonstrations within Germany and – quote – “censorship” of free expression in the artistic field and at public events.
“The problem is not just that German politics is failing to meet the standards it has set for itself,” said Bahgat, “it is the direct complicity through the ongoing arms deliveries to Israel. For us, Germany, like the USA, is part of it War. The effects are, in my opinion, tectonic.”
The good relationship with Germany is a thing of the past, says Bhagat. In December he rejected the Franco-German human rights award and cut ties with German partners – including the German embassy in Cairo.
Intolerance towards other opinions?
Meanwhile, some diplomats there are secretly wondering whether people in Berlin actually have any idea how lasting the damage is caused by their seemingly unrestricted support for Israel for a long time.
Many people understand that Israel’s security is German reason of state, reports Lilli Kobler. She heads the Goethe Institute in Cairo and is responsible for the institutes in the North Africa and Middle East regions. Rather, a perceived intolerance towards other opinions is the reason why many partners in the Arab world no longer want to be associated with Germany and thus also the Goethe Institute, says Kobler.
“Of course, we also notice how our relationships have changed drastically and even worsened after October 7th.” Cultural partners generally understand Germany’s special position and historical responsibility. “But at the same time there is also a lot of misunderstanding. There are partners who feel left alone, don’t feel enough solidarity and sometimes feel cut off.”
Some local organizations and cultural workers have already turned away, says Lilli Kobler. Now it’s about staying in touch and maintaining contact – especially when opinions differ.
Germany’s image in the Arab world has suffered
Muriel Asseburg also sees the danger that German politics will lose trust in the Arab world – especially with human rights activists or democracy activists. The political scientist works for the Science and Politics Foundation in Berlin. This would mean losing exactly those that Germany actually wants to support in the region. They are those who stand for a pluralistic civil society.
In addition, from their point of view, Germany is putting itself in a more difficult negotiating position in terms of foreign policy. “The fact that we prioritize differently – that is, when is international law important to us and when are other interests more important to us – will be held against us very strongly in the future,” said Asseburg. That doesn’t mean that the political elites in some countries will no longer cooperate with Germany. “But it means that they will say much more strongly: ‘Don’t tell us about human rights or international law. We know that this is important to you sometimes, but not always.'”
Germany’s image in the Arab world has suffered. Whether things can be put right again depends on the federal government’s attitude towards Israel, says the expert. But probably also about how other opinions about the war in Gaza and criticism of the Israeli government will be heard in Germany in the future.
Tilo Spanhel, ARD Cairo, tagesschau, April 10, 2024 2:34 p.m