In The Times today, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel considers sending 3,000 troops to the Lebanon to join the possible 15,000 strong French led force.
“We have to do this, not in spite of the Holocaust, but because of it,” Werner Sonne, a leading commentator, said on German state television. “If German troops guard Israel’s borders, they are there to protect Jewish lives. Frankly, there has never been a better reason to bring in soldiers in German uniform.”
Germany’s involvement appears to have the blessing of Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, which the paper says is “a sign that the Holocaust taboo is beginning to crumble”.
“There is at the moment no nation that is behaving in a more friendly way towards Israel than Germany,” Mr Olmert said. “If Germany can contribute to the security of the Israeli people, that would be a worthwhile task for your country. I would be very happy if Germany participated.”
