2024-04-25 14:03:51
During their visit to Israel, there was apparently a heated argument behind closed doors between Foreign Minister Baerbock and Prime Minister Netanyahu. The fact that the dispute became public at all reveals a larger problem.
Even in international politics, sparks fly from time to time. Especially in this time of crisis, when the situation is already tense and nerves are on edge. Nevertheless, disagreements between states are usually resolved behind closed doors. Diplomats then publicly speak of an “open exchange.” The logic behind it: Criticism that is too harsh could lead to a loss of face and thus to lasting damage to bilateral relations.
Against this background, what happened after Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) visited Israel last week is definitely a breach of taboo. According to the Israeli news channel Channel 13, there was a heated argument between the German Foreign Minister and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Israeli journalists then published a transcript of the dispute on Thursday. The diplomatic damage is immense and the anger is great, including for Baerbock.
At their meeting, Baerbock is said to have taken a confrontational course with the Israeli Prime Minister in view of the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. It is likely that parts of the conversation were leaked to the press by Netanyahu’s entourage. The German Ambassador Steffen Seibert and the Foreign Office made it clear several times on Friday on Platform X: “Essential points of this presentation are false and misleading.” The incident is therefore scandalous in two respects: the published minutes of the conversation not only come from a confidential conversation, but are also said to be partially incorrect.
But the fact that parts of a confidential conversation became public at all reveals a much bigger problem than the conflict between Netanyahu and Baerbock. The Israeli head of government is under massive pressure, both domestically and internationally, due to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. If he does not adapt his military tactics and instead alienates his international partners, international support for his policies risks further crumbling.
Two worlds collide
One thing was already clear before the scandal: When Baerbock meets Netanyahu, worlds collide. The first foreign minister in the history of the Federal Republic is pursuing a values-based course. As Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu has led his country twice since 1996. He is considered a power politician who has decades of experience with tactical maneuvers. Critics accuse him of clinging to power in order to avoid being convicted of corruption.
In the past, Netanyahu often got along with heads of state and government who had a similar political mindset to him: right-wing conservatives with a penchant for an authoritarian leadership style. He had good relationships with former US President Donald Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, but he also had no fear of contact with Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin.
The Israeli head of government is not seen as a politician who likes to be lectured. But criticism of him and his conduct of the war is growing: After the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, Israel still had a lot of international support, but the uncompromising actions and the suffering of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip are increasingly eating away at the legitimacy of this war. Israel is now facing a trial at the International Court of Justice for genocide following a lawsuit from South Africa.