Germany pledges to stand by Israel

Germany pledges to stand by Israel
Merkel tells Knesset of Holocaust 'shame'
By Richard Boudreaux | Tribune newspapers
March 19, 2008

JERUSALEM — In an emotional tribute to victims and survivors of the Holocaust, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that the Nazi genocide "fills us Germans with shame" and pledged to stand by Israel's side against any threat, particularly from Iran.




"This historic responsibility is part of my country's fundamental policy," Merkel said in a speech delivered in German to a special session of the Israeli parliament. "It means that for me, as a German chancellor, Israel's security is non-negotiable."

The address capped a three-day state visit in which the German leader, a staunch ally, marked the 60th anniversary of Israel's founding by formally upgrading the warm relationship between the countries.

Merkel's visit, as did previous ones by German leaders, stirred traumatic memories. An estimated 6 million Jews were slaughtered by the Nazis during World War II.

Seven of the 120 members of the Knesset boycotted the session, saying they could not bear to join in an event with a German official or hear the German language. But the protest was overshadowed by a standing ovation for Merkel by lawmakers and about 1,000 guests, including Holocaust survivors and Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders.

"The mass murder of 6 million Jews, carried out in the name of Germany, has brought indescribable suffering to the Jewish people, Europe and the entire world," Merkel said.

"The Shoah fills us Germans with shame," she added, using the Hebrew word for Holocaust. "I bow before the victims. I bow before the survivors and before all those who helped them survive."

Israeli leaders were attentive to Merkel's remarks on Iran, whose president has called for Israel's destruction.

"It is not up to the world to prove that Iran is pursuing a nuclear bomb, but rather up to Iran to prove that it is not," she said. "If Iran does not accept this, Germany will push for further sanctions."



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