Iran attacked Israel, escalating an already volatile conflict. Here's what to know
NPR Online NewsAPR 2024
German Foreign Minister Urges Prudence to Avoid Escalation in Middle East
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The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
It's no coincidence that Berlin, one of the world's staunchest supporters of Israel, has grown critical of its ally — at least rhetorically — as its own international reputation is now at stake due to the humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as concerns related to international law. Germany is merely trying to limit the damage to its diplomatic stature.
Pro-establishment narrative
That many partners of Germany — plus the far-right and the left domestically — dislike its pro-Israel stance hardly comes as a surprise, but claims that the country has grown critical only now are dead wrong. If Berlin was too permissive with any country in the Middle East, that one is Iran as Germany refused to list its Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terror group.