Episode 94: The German-Israeli Relationship Following the October 7 Terror Attacks

On October 7, Hamas terrorists carried out a surprise attack that killed 1,400 people—the deadliest day in Israel’s history. Over 200 people remain hostages. One of the first foreign leaders to visit Israel after the attacks was German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has visited twice. How has Germany responded to the crisis, and how has their response been received in Israel? What are the international implications, including for the German-Israeli relationship? Dr. Gisela Dachs of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem joins The Zeitgeist to discuss the situation in Israel after October 7, the official and civil society responses to the attacks in Europe, the Israeli-German relationship, and more. Articles mentioned in this episode: German-Israeli Relations on the 75th Anniversary of the State of Israel Robert Habeck on Israel and Antisemitism Robert Habeck on Israel and Antisemitism Transcript Gisela Dachs in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung: Geeint in Trauer und Wut Host Jeff Rathke, President, AGI Guests Gisela Dachs, Professor of Communication, European Forum and the Center for German Studies, Hebrew University in Jerusalem Eric Langenbacher, AGI Senior Fellow; Director, Society, Culture & Politics Program