Today it's history. Then, in January 1952, Cherut—the
precursor to the Likud Party—waged a tough battle
against Mapai, which wanted to get restitution payments from
Germany. Later, in March 1960, Prime Minister Ben Gurion met
with West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer at the Waldorf-
Astoria Hotel in New York. That meeting led to diplomatic
relations in 1965, 40 years ago.
In 1952, both sides concluded a reparations treaty which
called for payments of DM 3.45 billion in 12 annual
installments as compensation for Nazi crimes. Cherut was
outraged. Begin's supporters really did storm the Knesset.
They threw stones, broke windows and were repelled. A large
majority of the public — 79.6 percent according to a
Ma'ariv survey conducted at the time — were
opposed to taking money from Germany. "I despise them no less
than anybody else," said Ben Gurion, "but I am taking care of
the nation."
The population had doubled within less than two years. Ben
Gurion held that Germany had a moral obligation to help those
who lived through the Holocaust and who carried the scars on
their bodies and in their souls, in order to mend their
lives.
This was the essence of the dilemma in Israel-German
relations.
Formal diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany were
forged for the first time on May 12th, 1965. When the first
German ambassador came to Israel, protesters used clubs to
beat his car as he rode to present his credentials.
Demonstrators shouted "Shame, shame" and "Six million times
— no!" Stones and bottles were thrown and several
people were injured.
The 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations was different.
It was celebrated with festive gatherings and speeches.
Dozens of events were organized by the two
countries—writing and poetry festivals, fairs and
concerts, artistic exhibitions and academic conferences.
The restitution payments eased Israel's absorption of one-and-
a-half million immigrants, and aided it in building its
infrastructure and industry and generally helped the country
march forward toward progress, if progress is the right word
for it. In Israel there was relatively little awareness of
the recent events. "The color and strident sounds of the
events elicit no more than a yawn in Israel," wrote A. Primor
in Ha'aretz.
Most Israelis are no longer stirred by relations between the
country of the murderers and the country of the victims.
Israelis see these relations as normative. Germany is now
considered a friend whose relations are of utmost
importance.
The ties between the two countries are through diplomatic,
parliamentary and partisan channels in addition to economic,
scientific and cultural ties. In short, full normalization
with the state that annihilated six million Jews.
"From the standpoint of the historical accounting, the
Israelis have `liberated' Germany," Dr. Zartal says. The
hatred toward Germany has been placed elsewhere, partly
because it is impossible to come to terms with the Holocaust
and its perpetrators.
The 40th anniversary of relations between Israel and Germany
is being celebrated in different ways. Dani Naveh instructed
the Postal Authority to print a reminder of the Holocaust in
a new stamp issued to mark 40 years of Israel-Germany
relations. This demand raised the wrath of the Israeli
ambassador to Germany, Shimon Stein. He sent Naveh an irate
letter objecting to a reminder of the Holocaust in the
festive events.
Few people still boycott products made in Germany. Once
Israeli passports bore a notice saying the bearer was
permitted to travel to any country—except for Germany.
Years ago Israelis shuddered at the thought of selling a
German- made oven in Israel. The connotation was obvious.
Today one of the best things a salesman can say about an oven
is that it was manufactured in Germany. Naveh, however, to
this day refrains from buying German products for personal
use. The stamp was slated to be a joint Israel-Germany
stamp.
The government also held a discussion over the wording of the
Israeli announcement marking the 40 years of diplomatic
relations. Naveh demanded that it express the fact the
Holocaust involved two sides — the murderers and the
murdered. Following a debate, the following statement was
drafted: "Relations between the states were established in
the shadow of the Holocaust, the horrible crime against the
Jewish people carried out by the Third Reich. The Holocaust
can be neither forgotten nor pardoned."
Some time ago German Foreign Minister Joshka Fischer said the
fact that 60 years after the Holocaust relations between
Israel and Germany are so deep and diversified borders on the
miraculous. But this miracle is not static. In Israel the
population distribution evolves. Both societies are changing
and the policy stances are not always perfectly compatible.
Today's Germany is not what it once was. Filled with feelings
of guilt Germany wants to reconcile, apologize, acquire a
human image and cover up the inner Germany, which has been
assimilating a large Muslim population with all that implies.
In today's Germany, neo-Nazis are raising their heads,
standing tall and seizing spots in the German parliament.
It should be noted that not everybody holds this opinion, but
nonetheless a recent report by the Germany security services
says Germany is home to 10,000 new Islamic extremists and
that the number of neo-Nazis has increased by one-fourth.
German Interior Minister Otto Schily said, "American,
British, Israeli and Jewish sites and institutions are
especially at risk."
German President Kohler recently paid a visit to Israel and
even addressed the Knesset. "All of us must understand that
the Holocaust victims place upon us the task of never
permitting genocide to take place," he said, opening his
speech in Hebrew. "I bow my head in shame before the
Holocaust victims." The responsibility for the Holocaust,
said Kohler, is a part of the German identity.
How is it that this kind of warmth from a German chancellor
has stirred such a quiet response? The quiet was incomplete.
While the speech was being delivered demonstrators referred
to as "right-wing extremists" gathered outside the Knesset
and burned a German flag. Knesset Chairman Reuven Rivlin even
said, "There are many among us who cannot bear [to hear] a
speech by the president of Germany here in this house.
Certainly not in German . . . "
Jews in Germany
It is hard to understand Jews who returned to Germany, but
the Jewish community there is large and flourishing. When
Ambassador Avi Primor arrived in Germany in 1993 the Jewish
community numbered between 30,000 and 40,000. "Today," says
Primor, "approximately 100,000 Jews live in Germany."
Jews that are not all Jews. Many of the immigrants who
declared themselves to be Jews arrived from Russia.
Ironically today it is easier for Jews to enter Germany. Many
of those who have joined the Jewish community are Israeli
"yordim" and Russian immigrants who left Israel after
a few years. Is this indeed a flourishing community? The word
"flourishing" does not readily lend itself to the Jews of
Germany.
Is Germany Just Like Everybody Else?
Germany is not seeking to be "just like" everybody else. But
it is capturing a central place for itself. Today they are
dispatching military forces to sites of confrontation in
different parts of the world. They are demanding a permanent
seat on the UN Security Council. On June 6th, 2004 Schroeder
participated with the Allies in an event marking 60 years
since the Normandy landing that invaded Germany.
Spiegel commented, "Ten years ago an event like this
would have stirred a controversy. Twenty years ago it would
have been considered provocation, and 30 years ago it would
have been unconscionable." Thus little by little Germany is
gaining a solid spot in world opinion.
Today there is great emphasis in Germany on the war victims.
The German war victims. The Allies bombed Berlin and other
Germany cities. People were killed and they, too, are
"victims." "We mourn over all of Germany's victims,"
proclaimed Horst Kohler speaking before the Reichstag. He did
not hesitate to mention the refugees, workers at Russia's
forced labor camps and the civilian bombing victims. Yet the
Jews were absent from his list of victims.
But don't be alarmed. The Germany president did say,
"Antisemitism must be fought around the world and we in
Germany have a special obligation." At memorial events in
Auschwitz he said, "Germany is interested in good relations
with the State of Israel. This is an expression of the
responsibility we feel toward the Jews after the
Holocaust."
And later he went to visit Yad Vashem. And his hosts? They
were respectful. Nobody said, "Zochor eis asher oso lecho
Amoleik."
