Germany’s Decline and the Framing of Pro-Palestinian Solidarity

Why did student protests fail to gain traction in Germany? This article seeks to answer this question by examining the country’s political climate during the unfolding genocide in Gaza. Several key factors shape the narrative surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within German public discourse: (1) the invocation of the "raison d'état" (Staatsräson), which asserts Germany’s unwavering support for Israel’s security as a matter of national interest; (2) the widespread agitation against pro-Palestinian movements, amplified by mainstream media’s extensive coverage and endorsement; and (3) the strategic use—and misuse—of historical memory, particularly the Holocaust, to justify the Zionist agenda. Together, these elements form the framework within which pro-Palestinian protests have been systematically censored, silenced, persecuted, and repressed. Beyond this political repression, a disturbing denial of the likely genocidal actions carried out by Israel has taken root.
However, these events transcend the persecution of pro-Palestinian solidarity, signaling a broader and more troubling trend: the rise of far-right extremism and the construction of a new figure of hatred, now projected onto Arab-Muslim communities. On a global scale, this reflects a geopolitical shift, marking the decline of the West and the erosion of democratic values, tolerance, and freedom.