Germany: Majority of citizens demand more pressure on Israel

A recent Forsa poll indicates that a majority of Germans (58 percent) believe the federal government should exert more pressure on the Israeli government to change its policies. Support for increased pressure is consistent across both West (59 percent) and East (57 percent) Germany, with higher levels of support among members of the Green Party (75 percent) and supporters of the CDU/CSU and SPD (67 percent).

The survey comes amid international criticism of the Israeli government’s actions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Specifically, statements by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have drawn condemnation. While German politicians have expressed outrage over his rhetoric, some commentators note a tension between political condemnation and continued realpolitik support for Israel.

Several EU member states, including Ireland, France, Spain, and Slovenia, have already implemented travel bans against Ben-Gvir. While the German government has shown openness to sanctions against him, any EU-wide sanctions would require a unanimous vote in the EU Council.