German role in Gaza

How much more are we supposed to do? What are we even doing in the region? Shouldn't we be dealing first and foremost with conflicts at our own doorstep - in Ukraine, and concerning our relationship with Russia?

It comes as no surprise that the region in which Israel and the Palestinian territories are located is called "Near East" in German. It is in fact near, much closer than the same region is to the US, where it's called the "Middle East." Getting involved in Ukraine doesn't exclude involvement in Gaza – after all, the Germans are not alone.

The German government is making all of its diplomatic efforts in coordination with its European partners, above all in Ukraine, where it plays a leading role. It's not clear who would be at the forefront in Gaza, and it's not the Israeli foreign minister's decision to make.

Key elements

German diplomats name two key elements for a long-term solution: providing for Israel's security on the one hand and improving living conditions for the people in Gaza through economic development on the other hand. Over the past years, Germany and its European partners have invested quite a bit in the latter: Germany contributed a fifth of the funds that went into the EU's infrastructure program in Gaza. Additional development cooperation projects to the tune of 120 million euros ($ 160 million) are in the pipeline.

It would be a novelty, in the framework of an observer mission monitoring the disarmament of radical forces in Gaza and the closing or destruction of the tunnels, to be indirectly in charge of Israel's security.

Nine years ago, the EU sent a mission to the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. The EUBAM delegation monitored how Palestinian authorities handled persons and exports leaving Gaza. If the agreed upon procedures were not followed, the EU staff had the right to demand that the Palestinian authorities grant follow-up surveillance - but that was all.

The Rafah crossing was shut down two years later, and the EU mission was disbanded. Not exactly a success story. But no one has kept those involved from learning from mistakes. Observer missions only stand a real chance if the conflicting parties break out of their constant patterns.

International responsibility

Germany has the international reputation of being credible. Quite simply put: We mean what we say. That's a good thing, and at least for someone of my generation, and taking into account German history, it's not a given. Both the German government and the president have said Germany will take on more international responsibility, appropriate for a country of this size and economic strength.

We mean what we say.