Netanyahu Pushes for Firing of Merkel’s Advisor, Probe Reveals

The Submarine Affair and Political Pressure

A recent investigation by the German news source Panorama has revealed that former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to have one of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s top advisors removed during her tenure. The details of this attempt were disclosed in a report that highlights the complex relationship between Israel and Germany, particularly concerning military exports.

The investigation focused on the purchase of one of the submarines in Case 3000, commonly referred to as the “submarine affair.” According to the findings, Netanyahu pushed for the dismissal of Christoph Heusgen, who was then serving as Merkel’s foreign policy advisor. Heusgen himself later confirmed in an interview with Panorama that there had been attempts from Israel to remove him from his position.

Heusgen reportedly made several demands related to the submarine deal. One of these conditions involved Netanyahu halting construction in the West Bank settlements. In exchange, Heusgen suggested that a Palestinian state could be established alongside Israel. This condition was part of a broader discussion about the transfer of the sixth submarine exported from Germany to Israel.

Between 2010 and 2011, Ron Dermer, who was then an advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office, approached the German ambassador to Israel, Harald Kindermann. Dermer, acting on behalf of Netanyahu, demanded that Heusgen be removed from his role. However, Merkel reportedly refused the request. This led to further actions by Israeli officials, including efforts to influence public perception of Heusgen.

Dermer turned to Axel Springer Publishing, the company behind the newspaper Bild, which is known for its coverage of high-profile political scandals, including the Qatargate affair. A year later, Bild published an article that portrayed Heusgen in a negative light. This move was seen as an attempt to undermine Heusgen’s credibility and influence.

In the Qatargate scandal, Eli Feldstein, a member of Netanyahu’s media team, was arrested last year on charges of leaking a classified document to Bild on behalf of the prime minister. This incident underscores the complex web of relationships and potential conflicts of interest that exist between Israeli officials and German media outlets.

The Aftermath and Continued Influence

Despite the pressure from Israeli officials, Heusgen was not removed from his position. Instead, he went on to serve as Germany’s ambassador to the United Nations in 2017. The submarine deal eventually moved forward, with Germany’s Federal Security Council approving the export in late 2023. However, the construction in the West Bank settlements continued, indicating that Netanyahu did not fulfill the condition set by Heusgen.

Israeli officials have also testified about the demands made by Heusgen in exchange for the submarine and other naval exports. These testimonies provide additional insight into the negotiations that took place between the two countries. Among those who spoke about Heusgen were former Israeli ambassadors to Germany, Jakov Hadas and Yoram Ben Zeev, as well as former Defense Ministry planning chief Amos Gilad.

These revelations highlight the intricate nature of international relations, where military deals can be influenced by political pressures and personal relationships. The submarine affair serves as a case study in how diplomatic negotiations can be shaped by the interests and demands of key individuals. As the story continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these events will impact future collaborations between Israel and Germany.