International Responses to the Gaza Crisis: A Lively Overview
Ah, the international stage, where nations play their parts as if they were in a Shakespearean drama—but with less talent and more egos! Just when you thought you had grasped the intricacies of global politics, news emerges like a surprise twist in a soap opera. This time, it’s the Gaza Strip and Lebanon in the spotlight, and the world is not happy with the leading actor—Israel. Buckle up, folks; we’re diving in!
France’s Motives: A Veil of Diplomacy
France, taking cue from every melodrama, is now voicing its criticism of Israel louder than a romance novelist plotting tragic twists! The French government has gone so far as to disinvite Israeli companies from a Marine fair. I mean, disinviting someone is like saying, “You’re not welcome at my party because your dance moves are too aggressive!” Oh, snap!
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant practically threw a tantrum, claiming France is conducting a “hostile policy” towards Jews—which is a bit rich considering how any comment these days can escalate quicker than an argument over the last slice of pizza. President Macron, with his artsy flair for political maneuvering, stated that sending arms while calling for a ceasefire is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. More drama than an Oscar-winning film!
What’s fascinating here is France’s historical baggage as a former colonial power. It is trying to play both sides of the fence—defending Palestinian interests while still calling itself an unwavering friend to Israel. Classic French finesse, or as they say, “diplomacy à la carte.” Let’s just hope they don’t serve us a plate of cold war next!
The German Armament Tango
Meanwhile, over in Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his opposition are in a dance-off about arms shipments to Israel. Who knew politics could look like a bad episode of ‘Dancing with the Stars’? Scholz insists that Israel’s security is paramount, yet there seems to be an awkward shuffle whenever arms exports are discussed. Foreign Minister Baerbock is getting a tad bit defensive, like a football player with a sudden case of stage fright in front of the goal.
Ironically, while Germany approved arms exports worth 326.5 million euros last year, recent decisions have churned out just 14.5 million euros this year! Talk about a budget cut! They might as well just send a card that reads “Best wishes for better times” instead of weapons! Let’s just hope those “written guarantees” Baerbock mentioned aren’t penned on a napkin during a hasty lunch meeting.
Across the Pond: US Criticism in Full Swing
The United States is now joining the chorus of criticism; you can almost hear the tempo of their political music increasing. Presidential adviser John Kirby has jumped on the bandwagon, pointing fingers at Israel for the “daily attacks” on the civilians of Beirut. Apparently, that’s one way to win friends—by pointing out how they’re doing everything wrong! Secretary of State Antony Blinken has set the mood with a letter demanding Israel improve conditions in Gaza. Let’s just hope the paper doesn’t get lost in the mail, eh?
With elections around the corner, it’s not just chicken and fries for Kamala Harris, but also a balancing act more precarious than a tightrope walker above an angry mob. In Michigan, the Arab population is a not-so-silent watcher of Biden’s and Harris’s support for Israel. You see, not all votes can be bought with fast food; sometimes, they require a bit of moral consideration!
Conclusion: A Comedy of Errors in Geopolitics
Isn’t it just delightful how geopolitics rivals even the best of soap operas? The varying degrees of criticism illustrate that while countries may agree on the humanitarian crisis, their reactions resemble a game of musical chairs, with no one wanting to end up without a seat. As we watch nations criticize and defend in the arena of foreign policy, let’s raise a toast to their ideological banter—may the odds forever be in their favor! And remember, folks, the next time you feel overwhelmed by politics, just think: it’s all part of the world’s most complicated comedy show!
Washington, Paris, Berlin: Criticism of the way Israel is carrying out the war in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon has increased in recent days. Western governments agree on their concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the crisis region, but their reactions are diverse.
France’s motives
France currently criticizes the Israeli leadership more strongly than almost any other Western state. The government has just disinvited Israeli companies from a Marine fair scheduled for early November. “France carries out a hostile policy towards the Jewish people,” criticized the Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, in X.
The dispute over an arms embargo highlighted the crisis between France and Israel in early October. “The priority today must be to find a political solution, to stop the supply of weapons for the fighting in Gaza,” President Emmanuel Macron said on the “Etcetera” podcast. “When a ceasefire is requested, it is logical not to supply weapons of war,” he said.
After harsh criticism from the Israeli Government – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of a “shame” – the Elysée made it clear that France is an “unbreakable friend of Israel.”
While Germany was, along with Italy and the US, one of the main suppliers of defense material to Israel between 2019 and 2023, France’s exports to Israel are hardly significant in this field. According to a recent study by the Stockholm International Peace Studies Institute (SIPRI), the last major French arms exports to Israel occurred in 1998, although France continued to supply defense components after that date.
The position taken by the French president, who, after the Hamas terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, underlined his unwavering support for Israel, cannot be explained only by the high number of civilian victims in the Middle East.
Emmanuel Macron, according to his advisors, does not believe in a violent transformation of the Middle East, as the Israeli prime minister aspires to. Furthermore, he feels deceived by Netanyahu because, contrary to previous announcements, Israel rejected a Franco-American proposal for a three-week truce in September.
Particularly in Lebanon, where France had a mandate until 1941, Paris continues to claim influence.
Added to this are long-term aspects: France is traditionally in favor of protecting the interests of the Palestinians. As a former colonial power, Paris also pays attention to good relations with the Arab world and regularly takes the opportunity to underline the independence of French foreign policy. The large Arab minority living in France is also a political factor.
German fight over arms shipment
In contrast, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, like his predecessor Angela Merkel, have always made it clear that Israel’s security is a reason of state for Germany.
However, for a week there has been a dispute between the opposition and the government regarding the export of weapons to Israel. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Economy Minister Robert Habeck are accused of blocking arms shipments to the allied country.
Last year, the German government approved arms exports to Israel totaling 326.5 million euros, mostly after October 7. This year, only 14.5 million euros had been approved until mid-August, and only two percent corresponded to weapons of war.
There have been no more German export licenses since March. However, Berlin has no intention of imposing a permanent ban. “There are deliveries and there always will be. Israel can rely on it,” Scholz declared on Wednesday (10/16/2024) in the Bundestag.
However, according to Baerbock, the German government has demanded from Israel a written guarantee that the weapons supplied from Germany will not be used in contravention of international law. This is now available, Baerbock said in Parliament on the same day.
Will the US reduce its military aid to Israel?
The United States has recently increased its criticism of the Israeli way of waging the war. “We have made it clear to Israel that we reject the almost daily attacks on densely populated areas of Beirut,” US presidential security adviser John Kirby said on Wednesday.
Previously, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had set a deadline for the Israeli government to improve the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, in a letter dated October 13.
“The letter with the demands is a reaction to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, which threatens to deteriorate even further,” analyzes American expert Rachel Tausendfreund, from the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), in Berlin.
The US government accuses Israel of being responsible for a significant decrease in humanitarian aid. According to a State Department spokesperson, less aid has arrived in the Gaza Strip in the last month than at any time since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. And, if this situation does not change in the next 30 days, US military aid to Israel will be in jeopardy.
The war in the Gaza Strip is a complex issue for Kamala Harris.Image: Julia Nikhinson/dpa/AP/picture alliance
Incidence in the electoral campaign
Especially for Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, Middle East policy is a balancing act on the campaign trail. Republican candidate Donald Trump accused her of hating Israel during the September television debate.
On the other hand, the close cooperation of the Biden and Harris government with Israel is disapproved of by the Arab population of the United States. At around 1%, this represents a very small proportion of the US population. But in the pivotal state of Michigan, where Dearborn is considered the “Muslim capital of the United States,” the group of voters of Arab origin could play a decisive role on November 5.
However, according to Tausendfreund, the election campaign is not the main reason for the intensification of criticism of Netanyahu’s government. Although Harris could win voters by harshly criticizing Israel, she could also lose them.
(ers/cp)