The German government’s anti-Semitism commissioner has called for a more honest debate on the country’s stance towards Israel in light of its actions in the Gaza Strip.

Germany sees Israel’s security as a “reason of state” – a phrase alluding to Berlin’s historical responsibility to the state of Israel following the Holocaust.

The concept, like Israel’s right to exist, is essential to Germany’s self-understanding and its relationship with Israel, Felix Klein told the Sunday edition of the national daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in comments released on Saturday.

But, he noted, the term is also vague.

“We must do everything in our power to preserve the security of Israel and Jews worldwide,” he said. “But we must also make it clear that this does not justify everything.”

Starving Palestinians and deliberately worsening the humanitarian situation has nothing to do with securing Israel’s right to exist, he argued.

Klein emphasized that Israel has a right to defend itself against the “genocidal hatred” of Hamas, adding that the military’s objectives were to free Israeli hostages and to combat Islamist militants who he said are using the civilian population as a human shield.

However, Klein suggested, “the proportionality of this action may well be called into question.”

The war in the Gaza Strip was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel launched a massive military operation in response.

Israel has recently faced sharp international criticism for its latest offensive in Gaza and its blockade of aid deliveries to the sealed-off territory, which was eased earlier this week.