Germany Faces Growing Pressure to Sanction Israel over Gaza War Amid Historic Support Debate

Germany is facing growing pressure from both European Union partners and civil society to reconsider its steadfast support for Israel amid the ongoing Gaza war, as many Western allies have recognized Palestine as a state. Historically, Germany's support for Israel is deeply influenced by its Holocaust legacy, with former Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasizing Israel's security as a core national interest. However, recent voices such as Christoph Heusgen, Merkel's former adviser and former UN ambassador, have called for Germany to recognize Palestine, warning that Israel risks becoming an apartheid state if current policies continue. This has sparked debate within Germany about whether the country's responsibility should be reinterpreted to focus on international law and human rights rather than solely on Israel's security. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has maintained that Germany will not recognize Palestine in the short term, prioritizing a negotiated two-state solution. The coming weeks will be critical as Germany's position on potential EU sanctions against Israel amid its Gaza military campaign remains under intense scrutiny.