Historical Roots and Commitment to the Israeli Regime

Ali Bigdeli, in an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, stated: “Due to its dark past during Nazism and the Holocaust, Germany feels obligated to support the existence of the Israeli regime.” This commitment, recognized since Angela Merkel’s time as a “raison d’état” (Staatsräson), holds a special place in Germany’s foreign policy. The analyst explains that this stance was also evident in World War I, where Germany, by supporting the Ottoman Empire, and later in World War II with Nazi aggression, positioned itself against the majority of the world.

According to Bigdeli, Germany’s defeat in World War I and the imposition of the Treaty of Versailles fueled a sense of national humiliation, paving the way for Nazism. He adds: “This pattern was repeated in Germany’s unconditional support for the Israeli regime in the 12-day war, where Germany backed the regime’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, disregarding violations of international law.” Bigdeli believes this decision was made under U.S. pressure and historical obligations, but its consequences for Germany’s global standing are complex.

World War II and Ignored Lessons

The university professor considers World War II the peak of Germany’s misguided choices, explaining: “Nazi Germany, aiming to dominate Europe and the world, started a war. Allying with militarily and economically weak Italy and Japan, and invading Poland in 1939, placed Germany against the Allied coalition.”

Bigdeli said: “These decisions resulted from boundless ambition and a disregard for geopolitical realities.”

He notes that the consequences of World War II were catastrophic for Germany, as the country was divided into East and West, its economy collapsed, and it came under Allied occupation. The senior European affairs analyst argues that the lessons of this defeat were ignored in Germany’s support for the Israeli regime and the U.S. in the 12-day war. Bigdeli adds: “Germany’s backing of the Israeli regime and U.S. attacks on Iran, without considering legal and humanitarian repercussions, reflects the same flawed decision-making pattern.”

The 12-Day War and Germany’s Controversial Support for the Israeli Regime

Bigdeli further stated: “Germany’s stance on the 12-day war not only meant supporting the Israeli regime and the U.S. in violating the UN Charter but also exposed it to global criticism.”

He believes this support was driven by U.S. pressure and concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. Bigdeli adds: “Germany, along with France and Britain (E3), played a role in the 2015 nuclear negotiations with Iran but failed to uphold the agreement after the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018.” In the 12-day war, instead of mediating, Germany supported the Israeli regime. It even called for Iran to negotiate with the regime and the U.S. after American attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The expert describes Germany’s approach as “inconsistent with diplomatic principles.” Bigdeli also identifies the consequences of the Ukraine war as a key factor exacerbating the rift between Iran and Europe, particularly Germany, leading Berlin to adopt an anti-Iranian hostile policy during the Israeli regime’s attacks, siding with the aggressor.

Strategic Consequences and Germany’s Future

Bigdeli views the consequences of Germany’s support for the Israeli regime and the U.S. in the 12-day war as multifaceted. He says: “This stance overshadowed Germany’s relations with Iran and weakened its position as a fair and neutral actor.” According to the senior European affairs analyst, the killing of hundreds of Iranian civilians by the Israeli regime and U.S. attacks, which Germany supported, drew international condemnation. Bigdeli warns: “With this decision, Germany risked diplomatic isolation.”

He argues that Germany must learn from its history. “Germany’s defeats in the World Wars showed that supporting aggressive policies while ignoring international law leads to isolation and damage,” Bigdeli suggests that to maintain its global standing, Germany should return to multilateral diplomacy and strengthen institutions like the UN. He adds: “Modern Germany, which became an economic power after World War II, must avoid repeating past mistakes and instead play the role of a fair and neutral actor.”

Bigdeli stresses that Germany’s future depends on its ability to balance historical commitments with international law principles. He says: “Blindly supporting the Israeli regime and the U.S. in the 12-day war placed Germany on the wrong side of history. To rectify this mistake, Germany must commit to diplomacy and prevent further escalation of tensions in West Asia.”