Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich launched a sharp criticism of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on social media, following Merz's expression of concern about Israel's settlement policy in the West Bank. Smotrich, a far-right politician and grandson of Holocaust survivors, wrote: "The days when Germans dictated to Jews where they were permitted or forbidden to live are over and shall not return. You will not force us into ghettos again, certainly not in our own land."

This incident highlights the growing estrangement between the two nations. Germany and Israel have not held government consultations since 2018, a format reserved for close allies. Last year, Merz distanced himself from the term "reason of state" regarding Germany's relationship with Israel, a concept championed by former Chancellor Angela Merkel to denote special responsibility for Israel's security.

Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, contradicted Smotrich, calling Merz a "great friend of Israel." However, Prosor acknowledged that arguing with Germans, especially on the emotionally charged Holocaust Remembrance Day, is "possible and entirely legitimate." He accused Smotrich of undermining Holocaust memory by instrumentalizing the tragedy.

The Israeli government explicitly rejects a two-state solution while expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank, which the United Nations views as a major obstacle to peace. The German government consistently describes new Israeli settlement projects as violations of international law, maintaining its support for a two-state solution despite Israeli opposition.

Mairav Zonszein, an Israel expert at the International Crisis Group, stated that the Israeli government attacks Germany "for invoking the basic human rights of Palestinians," even at the expense of alienating its strongest European ally. She called on the German government to reconsider its approach toward the Netanyahu administration amid escalating diplomatic friction.

Source: www.dw.com