A former German Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, has voiced concerns regarding her party’s current approach to Israeli policy. In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Faeser expressed her support for maintaining the EU-Israel Association Agreement, emphasizing its importance for overall political and economic cooperation. She highlighted the substantial financial investment the EU makes in Israeli civil society organizations, which she believes warrants continued support.
Faeser contended that significant forces within Israeli society are committed to ending the ongoing conflict and that Germany has a responsibility to assist these groups. Consequently, she opposes suspending the Association Agreement, a stance that diverges from calls within her own party, including from the SPD’s foreign policy spokesperson, Adis Ahmetovic, who recently urged the government to reconsider its cautious approach to its potential suspension.
Recognizing Germany’s unique historical responsibility, Faeser underscored that the nation cannot treat the Israeli issue with indifference. She pointed to the remarkable resurgence of Jewish life in Germany following the Holocaust as testament to a profound obligation. Faeser identified the demilitarization of Gaza, the dismantling of Hamas and the recognition of Palestine as integral components of a comprehensive solution. Her stated objective focuses on ensuring Israel’s security while simultaneously ending the conflict and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Regarding potential sanctions against Israel, Faeser expressed reservations, suggesting a preferable avenue is to leverage Germany’s unique relationship with the country. While acknowledging that sanctions could become necessary if other approaches fail, she advocated for targeted measures, specifically directed towards individual ministers rather than broad-scale penalties.