What are current Israeli-German relations like ?

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SFdude

Germany is Israel's most loyal ally in the European Union, and it is probably second only to the United States in pro-Israel goverment policies.

It was the only country in Europe to publically endorse the unilateral fence idea, it sells military equipment to Israel, and it considers Judaism to be an official religion (alongside Catholicism and Lutheran). The German government tends to take a very dim view of anti-semitism in general.

Of course, this is partially because of guilt about being responsible the Holocaust. But it also has to do with strategic politics. Germany has a large Muslim population that's demanding more rights and autonomy right now. There has been ugly debates over citizenship, honor killings, and appropriate dress. Moreover, the German government continues to refuse to recognize Islam as an official religion. Thus, the alignment with Israel is a not-so-subtle sign of counter-balancing the influences of radical Muslims.

Nevertheless, the warm official relations doesn't reflect the mistrust that still exists on both sides at "street level". There is a resurgent neo-nazi movement in Germany that often instigate crimes against Jews. You'll find far more sympathy for the Palestinians among German youth/students than in the U.S. And many Israelis continue to view Germans negatively and dislike them in general.

megaherzfan

Germany supports Israel. However, Israli/Jewish people cannot stand the Germans. They refer them as Nazis. YES, STILL.

onlyhuman

It's all about politics. They're fine on the surface but Israel still has a lot of hatred beneath it... (By Israel, i mean the people, not necessarily the government.)

The Boot

They could be a LOT better I think, especially if the Germans would take off the blinders and see that 99 percent of the time when there is a problem with the Israelis and Palestinians, it is the fault of the Palestinians. I realize Israel has done a lot to keep the Palestinians in check, but as long as the Palestinians support, harboir, and now ELECT, terrorists to office, I cannot see how someone can rationally support them. FAR too many germans do.

andilindenblatt

We love them so much that we even give them submarines (333 million â‚¬) and more weapons for free :-)

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