We must be grateful to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Johann Wadephul: a CDU politician accurately summarized the hypocrisy of the discussion about “reason of state”. According to the Wadephul doctrine, when it comes to the security of the Jewish state, the German raison d'état means: we are for it, but no German will risk his life for it.
This is about the “International Stabilization Force” (ISF) for Gaza provided for in Donald Trump's peace plan, which after the withdrawal of Israeli troops, it would take military control over the territory.
The ISF would not be just a mediating force. As Wadephul emphasizes, “they must realistically ensure safety if necessary”. This means, above all, disarming the terrorists from Hamas and other groups who still dominate Gaza, destroying their tunnels and command centers, and ensuring that they are not rebuilt.
Since Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other groups are unlikely to agree to this voluntarily, The ISF would have to take into account street fightingand – with similarly high losses on both sides as during the Israeli army's fights with terrorists.
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“It's hard to imagine German soldiers doing this in this region,” Wadephul said. After all, it was “in this region” that Germany participated in the spectacularly unsuccessful UN UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, which was intended to stop the rebuilding of Hezbollah's forces. UNIFIL failed because the blue helmets were supposed to be primarily “mediation forces” and avoided fighting Islamists. Ultimately, Israel was responsible for weakening the terrorists.
Throwing platitudes is easier than taking responsibility
If raison d'état really meant anything, it would mean a willingness to militarily protect the existence of the Jewish state. Meanwhile, as Wadephul saysGermany is only ready to cooperate within the framework of the “peace council”that the UN Security Council intends to establish for Gaza. Discuss: yes, fight: no – this is the German raison d'état. But who “in this region” will listen to a state that is not ready to back up its words with military actions?
Of course, Germans are no more careful here than other countries. Trump also does not intend to send his own troops to Gaza, but his Secretary of State asked 70 countries to propose cooperation in the ISF. Although 19 of them, including Muslim countries such as Azerbaijan and Indonesia, were to show “interest”, none of them wants to disarm terrorists, which is what Trump's plan assumes. For now, the ISF, if it is created at all, can only operate in those areas of Gaza that Israel already controls.
Binyamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, and Donald Trump, President of the United States, shake hands after a joint press conference at the White House. Washington, September 29, 2025Jim Lo Scalzo/UPI Photo via Newscom / PAP
Türkiye also expressed interest. However, towards ideological connections between the local Justice and Development Party and Hamas and the neo-Ottoman ambitions of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Israel rightly – and with the tacit support of Arab states – refuses to exchange a bridgehead controlled by Tehran for one that would be controlled by Ankara and at the same time aimed at the Jewish state.
This could be the moment for European countries that with the support of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Israel, they could end the rule of Hamaswhich is a condition for peace and prosperity in Gaza. However, as Wadephul's example shows, spouting platitudes is easier than taking responsibility. If everyone withdraws and Israel is left to deal with the matter itself again, Germany should at least support the Jewish state with words.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
