German intellectuals call on Berlin 'to stop supporting annihilation of Palestinians'

Hundreds of German intellectuals on Tuesday urged their government “to stop supporting the annihilation of Palestinians”, Anadolu agency reported.

“For over one year, the German government has been actively participating in the killing and dehumanisation of Palestinians by providing political, financial, military, and legal support to Israel. Germany’s complicity in Israel’s atrocities must stop,” the intellectuals said in a letter to their government.

“We, the undersigned, demand the German government to stand unwaveringly on the side of justice and international law; to exert pressure on Israel to immediately end the killing, maiming, and destruction of Palestinian life,” they added.

The group also urged their government “to comprehensively re-evaluate its stance and political activities, considering Germany’s state institutions, political parties and politicians have, for the most part, supported the atrocities committed by the Israeli army.”

The letter pointed out that Germany, as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide and to the Rome Statute, has “a historical, ethical, legal, and political obligation not to commit, aid, and abet the atrocity crimes that these treaties proscribe.”

“We, therefore, demand Germany to effectively and immediately stop its complicity in the … crimes committed by Israel in Palestine!” the group added.

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The intellectuals stressed also that “Israel’s atrocities must be stopped immediately through international pressure and sanctions.”

Germany has been a staunch ally of Israel and government officials have repeatedly said the country bears special responsibility for Israel’s security due to its Nazi past.

In 2023, the German government approved €326.5 million ($356 million) worth of military equipment and war weapons to Israel.

Last month, Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, caused controversy when she told parliament that Israel can kill civilians in Gaza in the name of self-defence, a claim which human rights groups and lawyers have refuted saying it contradicts international law.