Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Namibia has taken a firm stance against Germany’s recent support of what it calls the “genocidal intent” of the Israeli state against civilians in Gaza.
The rejection comes as a response to Germany’s decision to defend Israel’s actions before the International Court of Justice, despite widespread international concern and condemnation.
President Hage Geingob expressed deep concern over Germany’s position. The President drew attention to Germany’s historical connection with Namibia, where the first genocide of the 20th century occurred between 1904-1908.
The German government, according to President Geingob, has yet to fully atone for the atrocities committed on Namibian soil during that dark period.
The official statement from the Namibian Presidency, as conveyed by Press Secretary Alfredo Hengari, highlighted the decision by Germany to reject the indictment brought forward by South Africa at the International Court of Justice. The indictment alleges that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Geingob expressed disappointment that Germany, having experienced the horrors of genocide itself, would choose to defend what he described as the “genocidal and gruesome acts” of the Israeli government.
Leader of the official opposition party Popular Democratic Movement, McHenry Venaani, echoed the President’s sentiments.
Venaani emphasized the inconsistency in Germany’s moral stance, criticising the nation for expressing commitment to the United Nations Genocide Convention while simultaneously supporting what he called the “equivalent of a holocaust and genocide in Gaza.”
“We agree with the president’s statement and Germany is misbehaving. They want to turn a blind eye. Israel cannot do a global punishment because they have lost a thousand people, yes we agree and are not disputing that but what they are is against the law. So what Germany is doing is psychological guilt,” said Venaani
The lawmaker has urged the German government to reconsider its decision, asserting that Germany’s support for Israel’s actions goes against international law.
The international community has not been silent on Namibia’s stance. The Spectator Index, an online magazine known for its analysis of global political, economic and cultural developments, reported on Namibia’s rejection of Germany’s support for Israel on X formerly known as Twitter.
The publication quoted Namibia’s words, emphasising the rejection of Germany’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
“Namibia says it ‘rejects Germany’s support of the genocidal intent of the racist Israeli state’ and says that ‘Germany committed the first genocide of the 20th century’ on Namibian soil,” said The Spectator
