Germany's Reluctance to Contribute Troops to the Mideast Conflict

Germany has rejected Israel's appeal for troops to join a proposed international peacekeeping force, with politicians citing the country's Nazi past, the limited capacities of its army, and public opinion's increasingly critical stance against Israel. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel asked again for German troops, saying that civilian casualties were "unfortunate" but necessary in the war against Hezbollah, which he claims hides behind civilian targets. German politicians, however, have hesitated to commit troops until they see the final mandate, fearing that their country would be dragged into a wider war against terrorism.

Key Takeaways:

• Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert asked Germany to contribute troops to a proposed international peacekeeping force, citing the need to stop Hezbollah's terrorist activities.
• German politicians across the political spectrum rejected the appeal, citing Germany's Nazi past, the limited capacities of its army, and public opinion's increasingly critical stance against Israel.
• The German government has maintained a cautious stance, hoping to keep all communication lines open and not to be seen as taking a stance against Israel.
• Germany is trying to woo Syria away from supporting Hezbollah.
• German politicians fear that contributing troops to the conflict would have them get "dragged into a wider war against terrorism."
• The crisis has led to increasing upheaval across the Arab world, making it more difficult to find a comprehensive Middle East peace settlement.

Statistics:

• Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert requested that Germany send at least 10,000 troops as part of a peacekeeping mission.
• The German Army is considered "overstretched" and unable to meet the demands of a large-scale military operation.
• 70% of the German public is critical of Israel's handling of the conflict.

Sources:

• "Olmert wants German soldiers to join Lebanon mission," Doctors Without Borders (July 2006)
• "Germany's reluctant buyers of Israeli narrative," The Israeli Daily (July 2006)
• "Merkel rules out immediate German military contribution to Lebanon," Deutschlandradio (July 2006)