Netanyahu in Berlin: balancing act between commemoration and clear words

During the visit of the Israeli Prime Minister, the Chancellor had to perform a balancing act: between commemorating the Holocaust and clear words about the political situation in Israel. In the end, Scholz criticized – but quietly.

Many were visibly nervous the morning when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Berlin and was waiting for Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Netanyahu stood surrounded by numerous security officers at platform 17, a memorial intended to commemorate the deportation of Jewish citizens by the Reichsbahn. Here, together with Chancellor Scholz, he recalled German history and the numerous deaths, in order to then assure himself of German-Israeli friendship.

It was a very calm and thoughtful first meeting of the two in Berlin-Grunewald. Only a few kilometers away, the protests in Berlin built up beyond the day. Similar to protest movements in Israel in recent days, they demonstrated against the Israeli Prime Minister’s planned judicial reform. The accusation has been growing louder for days that Netanyahu will weaken the independent judiciary with his reform and thus the democratic separation of powers will be abolished. There is even talk of a dictatorship, and the atmosphere in Israel is tense.

Clear words from Scholz demanded in advance

For days, the visit of the Israeli Prime Minister has also been politically charged and the question has repeatedly arisen as to what clear words Chancellor Scholz would now find to his guest? Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews, was also at the memorial at track 17 and was hoping for clear statements from the Chancellor. When asked what the Chancellor’s clear words might look like, Schuster at least was clear: “One must clearly criticize that a constitutional change undermines the separation of powers between parliament and law and that is not compatible with democratic principles,” he said. He hopes that when the chancellor finds such words, they won’t just roll off Netanyahu.

So the appointment in the afternoon at the Chancellery was eagerly awaited, an appointment at which Netanyahu and Scholz exchanged ideas. In the run-up, some hoped that the chancellor would make it clear to the Israeli prime minister, at least in a one-to-one conversation, what position Germany has on Israeli judicial reform.

Worry, but don’t criticize too loudly

It was all the more astonishing when the two heads of state, almost in a good mood, appeared in front of the press in the Chancellery more than an hour late. The Chancellor then criticized in his own way. He said he was “greatly concerned” about the planned judicial reform. The independence of the judiciary is a “great democratic good,” said Scholz, who kept looking at Netanyahu. One agrees – so the message. Was this criticism loud enough? Did these words even roll off the Israeli prime minister?

At least Netanyahu didn’t allow any criticism of his plan – neither from journalists in the chancellery, nor did he really address the chancellor’s “great concerns”. Criticism of the judicial reform was “absurd,” even “ridiculous,” he replied. Israel is “constantly slandered”, Israel remains a democracy. Netanyahu repeatedly emphasized what a liberal democracy Israel is, how he campaigns for more rights, for example for women or for the LGBTQ community. And the Chancellor also referred several times to the importance of democracy – and how everyone agreed on it.

Scholz’s reference to a compromise proposal by Israeli President Isaac Herzog for the planned judicial reform didn’t help that much either. The chancellor hopes that “not the last word” has been said. Herzog published a plan on Wednesday that he said would simultaneously strengthen parliament and the government and ensure an independent judiciary. Netanyahu vehemently rejected this proposal before his trip to Germany. So Scholz’s reference to this compromise was the highest of the critical comments that were made that afternoon.

Disappointment in front of the Brandenburg Gate

The chancellor simply didn’t criticize the planned judicial reform in Israel, which could endanger democracy. Instead, Scholz again appealed to Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate a two-state solution as a “sustainable solution” and to stop all activities, including the construction of more Israeli settlements. In addition, the relationship with Iran was in the foreground, the fear that the country could produce nuclear weapons. Israel will do whatever it takes to prevent that. This is also a priority for the chancellor. Israel and Germany are concerned that “Iran has taken new escalation steps and has been enriching uranium to a very high degree,” said the Chancellor. A diplomatic solution is needed. So the focus of the talks was clear.

In the end, the Chancellor’s words left many demonstrators in front of the Brandenburg Gate protesting against the visit disappointed. The Israeli state visit was criticized too much, and many hoped for clear speeches from the chancellor. But he remained true to himself, as a diplomat and chancellor who doesn’t criticize too loudly – at least not publicly.