Was heißt hier Staatsräson? - Ronen Steinke (Willy Brandt Lecture, 7. Oktober 2025)

Since the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the beginning of the war in Gaza, debates about Germany's relationship with Israel have revolved around the concept of raison d'état. In 2008, then-Chancellor Angela Merkel declared before the Knesset that Germany's "historical responsibility for Israel's security" was "part of" her country's raison d'état. The phrase "raison d'état" has long since become a fixture in the pronouncements of political actors and the object of increasing public criticism. But what exactly does raison d'état mean here and now? What concrete responsibilities are associated with this commitment? Is German policy toward Israel too heavily influenced by arguments based on the past, as is often claimed, or is this a myth? These are the questions that renowned journalist and author Ronen Steinke explores in this year's Willy Brandt Lecture. He will then discuss the topic with ZEIT journalist Mariam Lau. Welcome and Introduction Wolfgang Thierse | President of the German Bundestag (ret.) D. and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation Willy Brandt Lecture 2025 Ronen Steinke | Journalist and Author Stage Discussion Ronen Steinke Mariam Lau | Journalist and Publicist Timeline: 00:05:20 Welcome by Wolfgang Thierse 00:19:34 Lecture by Ronen Steinke 00:56:16 Conversation between Mariam Lau and Rosen Steinke 01:37:52 Acknowledgements by Wolfram Hoppenstedt The Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation online: Website: https://www.willy-brandt.de/ Newsletter: https://www.willy-brandt.de/newsletter/ Instagram:   / bwbstiftung   Facebook:   / bundeskanzlerwillybrandtstiftung   Soundcloud:   / zeitgeschichteerleben   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3BNitkq... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast... #WillyBrandt #RonenSteinke #Israel #Gaza