Navid Kermani's Speech at Bundeswehr July 20 Oath Ceremony

Writer and essayist Navid Kermani addressed new recruits of the German Bundeswehr during the annual "feierliches Rekrutengelöbnis" on 20 July. The ceremony, established in 1999 by former Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping and Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, commemorates the 1944 Stauffenberg plot against Adolf Hitler and serves as a reminder for soldiers to question unlawful orders.

Kermani’s remarks highlighted the historical significance of the Stauffenberg resistance and called for conscientious service. The speech was later reproduced and heavily criticized on a personal blog, which described it as confused, morally dubious, and an example of contemporary political opportunism.

The event underscores ongoing debate in Germany over the military’s identity, its historical legacy, and the role of dissent within the armed forces.