German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul declared Thursday that Berlin would respond to any Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories, marking Germany's strongest stance to date amid mounting international outrage over Gaza's starvation crisis. While maintaining that Palestinian statehood recognition should follow negotiations, Wadephul acknowledged the process "must begin now" given explicit annexation threats from Israeli ministers. His warning coincided with a fact-finding mission to Israel and Palestine, where over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed and famine deaths surge daily.
Wadephul's diplomatic push follows Germany’s abrupt turn from unwavering Israel support, driven by harrowing images of starving Gazan children and a June poll showing 63% of Germans believe Israel’s military campaign "has gone too far." Gaza’s health authorities report 154 starvation deaths, including 89 children with UN agencies confirming famine conditions for 470,000 Palestinians. Despite Israel’s claims of increased aid access, EU investigators remain barred from verifying deliveries. Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged the "catastrophic" conditions this week, proposing humanitarian airdrops after 200+ German celebrities demanded arms embargoes.
Germany’s warning aligns with Britain and France’s pledges to recognize Palestine at September’s UN General Assembly, joining 147 nations that already acknowledge Palestinian statehood. This diplomatic wave counters Germany’s historically pro-Israel stance, long influenced by Holocaust guilt and Axel Springer media’s editorial mandate supporting Israel. Bild newspaper recently accused critics of waging a "campaign to morally destroy Israel," while Merz previously shielded Netanyahu from ICC arrest.
The urgency stems from Israeli far-right ministers openly advocating Gaza conquest and West Bank annexation. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared settlements "closer than ever," while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir accused Germany of "supporting Nazism" in response to Wadephul’s visit. Meanwhile, Germany blocked EU sanctions targeting Israel’s Horizon Europe research funding, arguing suspension required "further examination" despite evidence of breached human rights obligations. Spain, France, and Ireland supported the €200 million funding freeze.
While Wadephul cited Germany’s "special responsibility" (Staatsraison) toward Israel, critics note Berlin approved €326 million in arms exports to Israel in 2023. This contradiction underscores Palestinian suffering: as Wadephul meets officials, Israel bombed Hezbollah sites in Lebanon and the US sanctioned Palestinian Authority officials for pursuing ICC justice. With annexation looming and famine escalating, Germany’s "diplomatic caution" increasingly enables atrocity.