Germany commemorates the victims of October 7 | DW News

Key Concepts

• October 7th Attacks: Hamas's militant assault on Israel.
• Brandenburg Gate Commemoration: Berlin's symbolic act of solidarity with Israel.
• Nova Music Festival: Site of a major attack, recreated in an exhibition.
• Hostage Situation: German citizens among those taken by Hamas.
• Antisemitism in Germany: Significant rise in incidents post-October 7th.
• Solidarity with Palestinians: Growing support and demonstrations in Germany regarding Gaza.
• Germany's "Special Relationship" with Israel: Rooted in post-Holocaust responsibility.
• "Reason of State" (Staatsräson/raison d'état): The guiding principle of German foreign policy towards Israel.
• Chancellor Friedrich Merz: His evolving stance and critical perspective on Israel's military operation.
• Weapons Delivery Suspension: Germany's decision to halt certain arms shipments to Israel.
• US-backed Peace Plan: President Trump's proposed 20-point plan for Gaza.

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Commemoration and Immediate Impact in Berlin

The German capital, Berlin, marked the two-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks with several poignant commemorations. The Brandenburg Gate was illuminated in Israel's national colors, and empty chairs were placed to symbolize those killed. Specific victims like Eden Abdullah, killed a day before her 23rd birthday, and Anamishif, a beloved grandmother, were remembered, their faces displayed in the city's heart. Attendees expressed deep sorrow, with one stating, "I feel a bit helpless right now. I'm here, but it doesn't feel like it's enough. Looking at the photos really move me." Another emphasized, "There's still so much pain... It's unimaginable and so important that we never forget."

Outside parliament, flags were flown at half-mast to express solidarity and grief. A significant portion of the October 7th victims were at the Nova Music Festival in southern Israel. An art exhibition in Berlin meticulously recreates the festival's original setting, serving as a powerful reminder of the tragedy. A survivor shared, "I got my life back. But I will always carry the memory of the friends and family we lost that day. At the same time, I will carry lifelong emotional scars." The attacks were described as an act of "blind hatred," with the statement, "Hatred is the ultimate language of terror. And on October 7th, it spoke louder than at any time since the Holocaust." More than 40 people were taken hostage from the festival, including several with German citizenship. Five other German nationals are still held in Gaza, with one already confirmed to have died.

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Global and Political Ramifications

Middle East analyst Shaunie Rosanis highlighted the multifaceted impact of the events on Berlin. The Jewish community in the city, like in many other European cities, experiences palpable fear and hesitancy. Debates about speaking Hebrew openly and the visible display of Jewish symbols (like the Star of David) have become common, with many refraining from public displays. Conversely, there has been a significant rise in solidarity with Palestinians, with the "horrors of Gaza" resonating not only with Arab and Muslim communities but also with many others, including some Jewish individuals.

The conflict has profound political ripple effects globally. Israelis, for instance, view the support for the recognition of a Palestinian state (e.g., by France, Italy, and Spain) as politically motivated, aimed at gaining popularity. This conflict has become a global issue, influencing daily lives and politics far beyond the Middle East, potentially impacting upcoming elections.

US President Donald Trump is actively pushing for his 20-point peace plan, aiming for a "done deal" by the end of the week, with top US officials, Qatari, and Turkish leaders involved. While many believe pressure should have been applied sooner, there's also a fear among Israelis that the "hastiness" of the push might "backfire" and lead to a "dead end" rather than a breakthrough, given the conflict's complexity and decades-long history. The urgency is underscored by the sentiment that "another round of fighting in Gaza is terrible news for everybody."

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Germany's Evolving Stance and Domestic Impact

Initially, Germany offered Israel "full support" for its offensive in Gaza and refused to join other European countries in recognizing a Palestinian state. However, attitudes have shifted, with pro-Palestinian voices becoming more prominent. Almost every weekend, demonstrations are held across Germany. In Berlin alone, nearly 700 protests have occurred in the last two years, with pro-Palestinian rallies significantly outnumbering pro-Israeli ones. Public opinion reflects this shift: 66% of Germans now believe more pressure should be exerted on the Israeli government to change its approach to Gaza.

Concurrently, the number of antisemitic incidents and crimes has risen sharply since October 7th. In 2024, it increased by 21%, reaching an "all-time high," according to the Home Affairs Ministry. Jewish community leaders express concern that Jews in Germany are being falsely equated with Israel and the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

At a reception for the 75th anniversary of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated, "Anti-semitism has never disappeared from Germany. But since Hamas's barbaric attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, it has become louder, more open, more brazen, and more violent almost every day." He conveyed feelings of being "appalled" and "ashamed."

In a notable policy shift, Merz suspended the delivery of weapons in August that could be directly used in the war against Hamas. This move drew criticism from his own conservative party, but he justified it by stating, "Solidarity with Israel does not mean that we consider every decision a government makes to be good and that we also provide it with support including military support in the form of weapons."

Despite these developments, Germany maintains its "special relationship" with the Jewish state, rooted in the post-Holocaust principle that responsibility for Israel's existence and security is "a fundamental principle for their country." The government asserts, "The principles of German policy toward Israel remain unchanged. Nothing has changed and nothing will change." Germany has rejected joint EU sanctions against Israel and, while France and other EU countries have recognized Palestine, Germany deems it "too early." Instead, Chancellor Merz supports the newest US-backed peace plan for Gaza, stating, "After almost 2 years of bloodshed, this plan is the best chance yet to end the war. The fact that Israel supports this plan is a significant step forward. Now, Hamas needs to approve it and clear the way for peace." He urged Hamas to seize this opportunity, adding that if Hamas were to give up control of Gaza, the German government would be ready to support the territory's rebuilding.

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Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Position and "Reason of State"

Political correspondent Matthew Mu elaborated on Germany's nuanced position, emphasizing the country's historical ties and the presence of German victims and hostages from October 7th. While various commemorative events are taking place, notably, there was no minute of silence in the German parliament this year, unlike last year.

Merz's recent statements mark a "small but a kind of significant change" from the long-standing policy articulated by Angela Merkel in her 2008 speech to the Israeli parliament. Merkel famously declared Germany's historic responsibility to Israel as a "reason of state" (Staatsräson/raison d'état) for Germany, asserting that "Israel security is never negotiable." This principle became the "guiding light" of German foreign policy.

However, Merz has adopted a more critical stance regarding Israel's military operation in Gaza, stating he "can't understand what Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to achieve." His decision in August to halt weapons deliveries usable in Gaza reportedly led to a "very heated phone call" with Netanyahu. When questioned about the "reason of state" principle, Merz suggested that this concept is "normally for your own country and not for others," indicating a potential re-evaluation of its application to Israel. Despite this, he "did underline that Germany's unconditional kind of solidarity with Israel is not in question."

In a statement marking October 7th, Merz warned of a "new wave of anti-semitism" that has become "louder on social media in universities that it was sometimes even violent." He urged Germans to "reach out to their Jewish neighbors... and let them know that that we Germans stand by their side and that that there will always be a place for German Jewish life here in Germany."

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Conclusion

The two-year mark since the October 7th attacks finds Germany navigating a complex landscape of unwavering historical commitment to Israel's security, a growing domestic and international call for a more critical stance on the Gaza conflict, and a disturbing surge in antisemitism at home. While Chancellor Friedrich Merz has signaled a nuanced shift in rhetoric and policy, particularly regarding weapons deliveries and the interpretation of "reason of state," Germany's fundamental solidarity with Israel remains officially intact. The global implications of the conflict, coupled with urgent peace initiatives like President Trump's plan, underscore the critical juncture at which Germany and the international community find themselves, striving for a path forward amidst profound pain and political pressure.