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https://theconversation.com/germanys-post-holocaust-moral-remaking-is-being-challenged-by-wars-in-gaza-and-ukraine-and-the-rise-of-the-far-right-230778>
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Review: Out of the Darkness: The Germans 1942–2022 by Frank Trentmann
(Allen Lane)
Current conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza (now spreading across the Middle East),
have placed Germany in a difficult position, forcing it to reconsider its role
in the world. A uniquely German sense of guilt and shame for the Holocaust
“inseparably” ties the Israel-Palestine conflict to “Germany’s unquestionable
solidarity with Israel”, writes Frank Trentmann, in his new book on the legacy
of World War II in Germany.
Since Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7 2023, politicians have reiterated
that Israel’s security is Germany’s “reason of state”. This makes criticism of
Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories “an extremely
sensitive matter”. Even Jewish critics of Israel’s government have been
cancelled and criticised as antisemitic.
Following the second world war, Germany has focused on atoning for its role as
perpetrator and collaborator and, while a NATO member, it has largely avoided
playing a leading role in international conflicts. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
has forced Germany to reevaluate its foreign policy and emerge from national
introspection in what Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called a “Zeitenwende”, or
historical turning point.
Germany has been forced to consider the state of its army. Until last year,
when it released its first comprehensive national security strategy, it had “no
national security strategy, let alone a security council”. And at the end of
2022, it only had enough bullets for two weeks of fighting.
Trentmann’s impressive book,
Out of the Darkness: The Germans 1942–2022
shows: “Germans define themselves through a critical confrontation with their
past”."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
