Call for Federal Armed Forces support for Israel
An Iranian attack on Israel is becoming increasingly likely. The German government's anti-Semitism commissioner considers military support from Germany, at least upon request, to be "justified". CDU foreign policy expert Kiesewetter goes even further.
In light of a possible Iranian attack, voices are calling for the involvement of the German Bundeswehr to protect Israel. "Given the impending Iranian attack, the federal government must finally wake up and offer Israel military assistance for defense," said CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter to "Der Spiegel". The federal government's anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, considers German military support, at least upon Israel's request, to be "justified".
"Should there be an Iranian attack on Israel and the Israeli government requests military support from Germany, we should not refuse," Klein told the Funke media group. Intervention by the Bundeswehr is legally covered by international law in the case of an attack by a "state actor".
Kiesewetter went beyond his demand. "If Israel's security is truly a matter of German state interest, the federal government, especially the Federal Chancellery, must finally practice realpolitik," he said. "Therefore, the federal government should not wait to be asked for help by Israel, but should offer it on its own initiative and already campaign for it in the Bundestag."
Specifically, Kiesewetter called for the involvement of the Bundeswehr in a protective coalition for Israel led by the USA. "Possible is the refueling of combat aircraft of friendly nations, but also the deployment of our own Eurofighters of the Bundeswehr, for example, to intercept Iranian drones."
USA strengthen military presence
The USA announced on Friday that they would strengthen their military presence in the Middle East. Additional warships and combat jets will be sent to protect US forces and defend Israel, the Pentagon said. Washington reacted to revenge threats from Iran and its allies against Israel following the killings of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in the Lebanese capital Beirut.
Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius ruled out the involvement of German soldiers in a mission to protect Israel, at least for the moment. "For me, any involvement of German soldiers is currently completely unimaginable," the SPD politician said on the sidelines of a visit to the border between North and South Korea. "So the question doesn't even arise at the moment."
The situation in the Middle East is being assessed daily with the Federal Foreign Office and the Chancellery, Pistorius said. "We are preparing for what might come, such as an evacuation. But for the moment, we are only in the phase of preparations, not in the phase of action."
Given the increased likelihood of an Iranian attack on Israel, there have been calls for the German Bundeswehr to provide protection. As the German government's anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, stated, "If Israel requests military support, it would be justified."
In line with this, CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter advocated for proactive support, suggesting that if Israel's security is of paramount importance to Germany, the federal government should offer assistance voluntarily.
