Questions for Katrin Hatzinger, Deputy Head and Legal Counsel at the Office of the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD), Brussels
Alumna, Immigration and Integration Experts – November-December 2006
1. Germany and Israel have enjoyed a deep friendship for decades. Could you share with us where you see that relationship heading?
Israel and Germany maintain a strong and reliable relationship, which is foremost characterized by a deep sense of responsibility Germany feels to insure the peace and security of the Jewish state. The two countries certainly have a “special relationship” based on the history of the Holocaust, comprising political, strategic, economic and cultural dimensions. Germany is aware of the importance of cultivating this relationship with Israel. Germany has been committed to this “special relationship” from the outset, and will continue in its practice to unconditionally support Israel's right to exist. The commitment to Israel is a cornerstone of German foreign policy. In my opinion the relationship will grow even deeper as both sides start reaping the mutual benefits of their friendship to a greater extent .
2. What role do the media, political movements and civic organizations play in the German public’s perception of Israel? Does the level of support for Israel change among different sectors of society?
Media, political movements and civic organizations definitely have roles to play in shaping public opinion on certain topics, but their roles should not be exaggerated. As far as I am able to observe from a Brussels’ perspective, I cannot see that the level of support changes significantly among the different sectors in Germany society. There is broad support and interest in maintaining the special relationship between Israel and Germany. The legacy and sense of shame and remorse stemming from the Holocaust continues to be a major influence on the German populace. However, as is usually the case, with the passing of time the collective memories that have shaped the attitudes of the older generations become more difficult to logically explain to successive generations.
Signs of criticism of Israeli government policies in the German media should not be mistaken for a wholesale condemnation of the state of Israel. A more worrying development would be the absence of criticism or self-censorship out of fear of causing offen se; this would be a sign of dishonesty and evasion in German-Israeli relations. The ability to give and accept criticism is part of a healthy relationship, but of course it should be formulated in a constructive and fair way.
In general, there is a risk that public opinion throughout Europe – including Germany – could become increasingly hostile and disdainful due to the politics of the Middle East. Germany was and is strongly opposed to sending troops to Iraq; the deaths of soldiers are proving to be politically-charged, highly controversial and unpopular in the countries which did deploy troops. Given the pressure to win elections, politicians are less likely to invest time and effort in issues that may seem intractable. Domestic political concerns (such as the economy, environment and Germany’s continuing high levels of unemployment) inevitably have a greater resonance for the German electorate. Nevertheless, from a Christian theological perspective, the Church has a responsibility to promote concerns and interests beyond the immediate material needs of people, such as peace and reconciliation. The EKD will not neglect such international concerns.
3. As the President of the EU, Germany has led the way in renewing the Middle East peace process. Germany is also viewed as an honest broker, perhaps more so than other European leaders. How can Germany leverage this impetus to support the peace-making process?
I guess that i s the one million d ollar question. Of course, no immediate solutions can be expected. The process pursued by the German EU Presidency to further stabilize the situation in Lebanon and (together with its partners in the EU and the Middle East Quartet) to actively seek ways to arrive at a comprehensive peace solution for the Middle East conflict aims in the right direction. Flanked by continued efforts to find a peaceful solution to the dispute concerning the Iranian nuclear program, this seems like a feasible strategy to ensure Israel’s peaceful and secure existence . Despite some backlashes, the aim to reach a sustainable solution of the Middle East conflict in the form of the “two state solution” and the recognition of Israel by its Arab neighbors should be continued.
4. What are the greatest immigration and integration challenges facing Germany and Europe? What recommendations would you make to encourage the incorporation of Muslim, Turkish or Arab immigrant populations into mainstream European life?
The EU, as well as Germany, needs a common approach to integration policy that promotes integration as a reciprocal process, with an active role for immigrants as well as for the receiving society, resulting in an inclusive and welcoming society. A major challenge on the national, as well as the European, level will be to adopt a positive approach to immigration and to see immigrants as a vital asset to society rather than as a threat. The increasing diversity should be acknowledged, and respect for diversity should furthermore be actively promoted as a positive factor.
The German government has finally recognized the importance of a comprehensive integration policy and will present a national integration plan this summer. The EU competence in the area, however, is fairly limited. This could endanger the further development of a common approach, in addition to threatening the capacity and effectiveness of the EU to strengthen the networking, cooperation and exchange between all stakeholders. Still, the outgoing German EU presidency has declared integration as one of its priorities. This underlines the new approach towards this policy area, which had long been neglected.
A successful integration policy generally depends on a range of factors and basic legal conditions. Equal rights for all legally residing citizens – including third -c ountry nationals – is the basis for equal opportunities in a society. Fair treatment of third- country nationals has been recognized as essential for a comprehensive approach to a common migration and asylum policy. At the same time I am personally in favor of encouraging a broad debate not only on the political level, but one in civil society in general, about common values and principles between the different cultures (even if this debate might sometimes trigger divergences and conflicts). Only by talking openly can our areas of disagreement be identified and solutions presented.
5. What role can the Church play in combating Islamophobia and anti-Semitism? What is the public’s perception of the Church in Germany today and how much influence would it have in these efforts?
The EKD is very committed to the implementation of the EU anti-discrimination legislation and the fight against racism, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. Via its member churches and institutions, the EKD is also highly involved in inter-religious dialogue involving the Jewish c ommunity on different levels. The EKD believes that there is no alternative to dialogue between religions.
The EKD has a special concern for the Jewish people, which is reflected in a statement from 1990 on the relationship between Christians and Jews: “ W e as Christians have a special relationship with the Jewish people. W e publicly defend their life and accompany them, full of hope and concern for both the life of Jews in the country of Israel and the future path of the state of Israel. We oppose all attempts to call into question Israel’s right to exist.”
In the context of the Oecumenical Council of Churches, the EKD is also promoting peace and reconciliation projects in the region.
Representing roughly 26 million people, the EKD has a certain influence on the political level which it tries to use in the best interests of society by standing up against injustice, violence, racism and discrimination wherever it occurs.
6. What has your professional experience been like as a prominent female attorney in Germany and Belgium?
So far it has been very good. My job as a church representative is very rewarding and usually the contributions of the church are well received in the political environment.
7. You travelled to Israel on an educational seminar from November to December 2006. Could you share with us some insight about the people you met and the places you found to be most interesting or memorable?
As it was my first-ever trip to Israel, the seminar enabled me to develop a better personal understanding of Israel’s unique situation. Even though time was limited, the seminar provided a very helpful insight into the political, social and religious issues the s tate is dealing with at the moment. I was deeply moved by the visit to the Yad Vashem memorial. The Children’s Memorial and the Holocaust History museum touched me very much. The way the exhibition manages to convey to the visitor the experience of the individual victim while simultaneously depicting the overall political and historical framework is incredible.
The meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the meeting with M inister Ze’ev Boim, was very interesting as we learned a lot about the importance of EU-Israeli relations and the current political challenges the groups face . Moreover, the visit at the Nurit Absorption center in Be’er Sheva was an important experience for me : seeing the conditions in which the Ethiopian immigrants arrived made their exodus stories more tangible, while also demonstrating the enormous work done by the Israeli community to welcome these people in and comfort them .
The personal engagement of many of our speakers was striking. Amal Eldana-Alhjooj, Alan Freeman and Dr. Chaim Peri, to name only a few, are impressive personalities fighting for a better future in peaceful co-existence of different ethnicities. Moreover, I appreciated it very much that there were, if even a few, opportunities to speak with Palestinian representatives like Ziad Abu Zayyad or Professor Dajani.
8. Many Project Interchange alumni return to their home countries with increased interest and background knowledge about Israel and the Middle East. Did your participation in the seminar impact your professional life, and if so, how? How did it affect your understanding of Israel?
Having travelled to Warsaw and Lublin as part of a student exchange program, I also visited the death camp of Majdanek and was taught a lot about the atrocities of the Holocaust at school. Being German, I have always had a feeling of guilt, but also responsibility towards the Jewish community . Therefore I was overwhelmed by the unabashed hospitality towards us Germans in Israel. I felt very welcome. The seminar helped me to develop a better understanding for Israel’s special geopolitical situation. It also opened my eyes to the great diversity within the Jewish community itself . The seminar enhanced my curiosity to learn more about Judaism, the s tate of Israel and its people.
Professionally, the first hand knowledge about Israel’s immigration policy opened my eyes to the differing approaches taken towards migration between Israel and a huge part of the European Union. The proactive approach utilized by Israel in reaching out towards migrants with Jewish roots is a unique example of how to manage immigration; while it obviously can not be applied to the EU, it certainly has helped me to gain a broader understanding of the different historical experiences underlying our immigration strategies.
Moreover, I recently had contact with a delegation of Palestinians as invitees of the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung group travelling to Berlin and Brussels, and participated with them in a dialogue and information program on democratic states and religious beliefs entitled “The role of religion in the political and social systems in Germany and the EU.“ Last year’s experience was quite an asset in addressing the delegation and facilitated healthy contact and exchange .
9. Do you have any suggestions or advice for Project Interchange as we develop future programs from Germany and Belgium?
Continue your good work and aim not only for high-ranking officials and opinion leaders, but try to get the average person involved as well.
The general reaction to the political situation in the Middle East amongst the average Europeans is often one of indifference, suspicion or exasperation. Too often in Europe, the Middle East is popularly (if mistakenly) defined by its political instability, violent conflicts and the oil industry. Tendencies to regard the whole of the Middle East in negative terms will need to be increasingly addressed.