analysis
Tightrope walk on delicate terrain: Chancellor Scholz found clear words in Israel, but at the same time chose them carefully. Will they work on Netanyahu? At least the pressure on Israel’s head of government is increasing.
Only on Friday evening there was a program from the Federal Chancellery with the subject “Chancellor Scholz’s trip to Jordan and Israel” – a preliminary program for the trip the next day. Changes are not uncommon, but there should be many acceptances and acceptances on this journey. It took a while for the program and locations to be finalized.
The Chancellor’s short trip to the Middle East lasted less than 48 hours, a difficult journey. It was Scholz’s second visit since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7th. While the first trip was all about unrestricted solidarity, this time – five months later – it was primarily about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
First stop in Jordan
The first stop on Saturday was Aqaba, a Jordanian holiday resort on the Red Sea. The Jordanian King Abdullah II has a residence here. The two heads of state know each other well and understand each other. Only five months ago, ten days after the Hamas terrorist attack, the king visited Berlin.
First Jordan, then Israel
Even back then, they both spoke the same language. Perhaps that is the reason why Scholz first traveled to Jordan and then to the neighboring state of Israel, where more difficult discussions would certainly await him. However, it can also be understood as an appreciation of the Arab world, where people have been protesting against Israel for months and yet no conflagration has been ignited.
The conversation between the two on Sunday morning took place behind closed doors. It is said that the king rarely appears in front of the cameras. However, Chancellor Scholz did exactly that, after a good hour of audience with the king. The Chancellor said it was an important conversation. The question was how a longer-lasting ceasefire could now come about. And also how it can be possible to ensure that the hostages in the hands of Hamas are released and more humanitarian aid comes to Gaza.
But everything only makes sense if there is a long-term development of peaceful coexistence between Israel and a Palestinian state. Scholz said that everything must now be done to ensure that the situation does not get any worse than it is. A warning that he sent primarily to Israel, his next stop.
Changed rhetoric from the Chancellor
The Chancellor’s clear words did not go unheard in Israel. In some media there is talk of a change in the rhetoric of the Chancellor, the Germans, in recent weeks. In fact, after five months of war, the tone was less reserved. This is not due to the abandonment of German reasons of state, but rather due to the many civilian victims in the Gaza Strip and the humanitarian situation that is getting worse every day.
But does this rhetoric change anything about Israel’s policy? Will it persuade Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow more aid supplies into Gaza and to refrain from the ground offensive in Rafah? Even before the talks between Scholz and Netanyahu on Sunday afternoon, it was clear how important the German warnings were.
Confusion about common ground Press statement
Shortly before departure for Israel, it was announced that the meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister would take place in Jerusalem instead of Tel Aviv. That meant rescheduling quickly. On the journey there was confusion about how the conversations were going. The Israeli prime minister’s press office wrote that due to time constraints, there would be no statement following the meeting. So no joint appearance in front of the press.
This was followed by a denial from the German delegation, but initially none from the Israelis. The thirty-minute drive from Tel Aviv Airport to Jerusalem provided time for speculation as to why Netanyahu wants to forego public words with the Chancellor.
It is not known what exactly caused a rethink on the Israeli side behind the scenes. Because a little later came the rejection of the rejection. The press statement took place – but without any questions. This fits Netanyahu’s pattern of behavior. It was only weeks after the October 7 attack that the press was allowed to ask questions in front of cameras.
Question marks behind Netanyahu’s words
Both statesmen appeared in front of the cameras early on Sunday evening. There was nothing surprising in what they said. Netanyahu began by making it clear that his country, the Israeli army, was doing everything it could to avoid civilian casualties, more than any other army in recent history. Israel is also making great efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza – on land, at sea and from the air.
The majority of those present in the rows of chairs in front of the podium were German journalists. In view of the terrible images and reports from Gaza that can be seen and read every day in the German media, an inaudible murmur could be felt in the room at Netanyahu’s words. Chancellor Scholz is also likely to put a question mark behind his counterpart’s statements.
Chancellor speaks carefully
Scholz spoke carefully after Netanyahu, talked about the hostages that are still in the hands of the terrorists, expressed sympathy, reiterated German solidarity and that Israel has the right to defend itself. But he also spoke about the population in the Gaza Strip and questioned the military action if it claimed so many victims.
No matter how important the Israeli goal in this war is, one must ask whether it can justify such terrible costs. The answer was no. The Chancellor chose his words carefully but clearly. The criticism was hard to ignore, even when Scholz talked about the planned military offensive in Rafah, where more than 1.5 million people are seeking refuge under the most adverse conditions. How should they be protected, where should they go, asked the Chancellor.
Will Netanyahu change course?
Netanyahu failed to answer. Without being specific, he simply assured that the civilians would be brought to safety. One of the most frequently asked questions by journalists on this trip was what the chances were of changing Netanyahu’s mind, influencing him, changing his course. Scholz at least tried and made his position clear to Netanyahu.
It is not yet clear whether words alone will have an effect. But one thing is certain: the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip urgently need more help and the Israeli hostages in the hands of Hamas must be released.