[GDR] Contacts with Israel

30 June 1986

Contacts with Israel

It has been noted since a considerable time that the frequency of contacts between the GDR and the State of Israel has significantly increased, especially in the cultural-academic area. Ever more state institutions, social organizations, associations, but also individual personalities from culture and science of the GDR, are confronted with the possibility of such contacts. Noteworthy here is a certain insecurity how to act. It also cannot be overlooked that, without the necessary prior coordination with the central state organs respectively the according departments in the SED Central Committee, such contacts with Israel might be initiated, which political consequences can affect the interests of the GDR in its definition of relations with Israel; as well as might affect the interests of the GDR vis-a-vis the Arab states. From a foreign policy perspective, contacts with Israel in the area of cultural and science are not to be rejected categorically and in every case. To the contrary, such contacts can even be useful.

The GDR is starting from the premise that the current situation between the GDR and Israel has its main cause in the aggressive foreign policy pursued by the reactionary forces ruling in Israel, especially with regard to the course of annexation of Arab territories in violation of international law. Also, to the extent democratic forces in Israel will succeed to achieve successes in domestic political conflicts on this issue, conditions will be created gradually to allow for a rethinking of the relationship between the GDR and Israel; or even will make such necessary. The GDR as well will ultimately have normal relations with Israel. (This is not to be expected in a foreseeable time). In this vein, already today certain contacts might be useful if they are targeted directly. The condition for such, however, is the following: Activities planned within the context of Israel have to be prepared carefully and coordinated long-term with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. This is necessary to prevent that the ruling Israeli circles, or other forces hostile to the GDR, might use these contacts to possibly create the impression that the GDR has abandoned its fundamental political positions concerning Israel’s policy of aggression. Without doubt, this would result in damage to the good relations between the GDR and the Arab states.

Regarding the position vis-a-vis Israel, the observance of the following principles needs to be guaranteed:

1. The GDR has neither diplomatic nor other state-to-state or official relations with Israel. This position is based on the fundamental condemnation of Israel’s policy of aggression and occupation towards its Arab neighbors in violation of international law. It is also based on the rejection of Israeli preconditions in the context of “reparation demands” in order to develop normal relations between both states.

2. The GDR is not questioning Israel’s status as a subject of international law. The GDR is respecting the sovereignty of the State of Israel, as well as the exercise of its sovereign rights in international relations on the basis of international law.

3. Citizens of the State of Israel, who want to enter the GDR for touristic or other private purposes, will be treated like all other foreign tourists. Without any reservations, they will be subject to the legal provisions in place pertaining to the treatment of foreigners in the GDR. This does also apply to the provisions regarding travel.

4. In case of contacts with Israeli institutions, individual and official representatives, the following has to be observed in general: those [contacts] have to be conducted in such a way that no doubts can arise to question the fundamental positions of the GDR concerning the Middle East conflict, the condemnation of the Israeli policy of aggression, and the solidarity with the just struggle of the Arab peoples for self-determination and national independence. Therefore contacts with Israel are requiring in each case a timely coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

5. State institutions including universities and colleges, as well as institutions of education and the academy, societal organizations, associations, et cetera, usually do not maintain, in their capacity as an institution, contacts with state or other institutions of the State of Israel. This does also apply to Israeli individuals, who are acting on a mandate from such Israeli institutions or in coordination with them. Exceptions from that rule do require an extensive explanation and need to be coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

6. In the well-understood interest of the GDR, the participation of GDR academics in conferences and conventions of international organizations, or of Israeli organizations with international participation, will be facilitated: if they are taking place on the territory of the State of Israel, however not if they are held in territories (West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jerusalem) illegally occupied by Israel. The appropriateness of such participations is to be reviewed and explained by the GDR institutions in charge in a responsible manner. Participation in events of national Israeli institutions have to be explained towards third parties with the personal academic interests of the GDR participants. Official contacts with Israeli state institutions are to be avoided. Follow-up contacts are only then allowed when they are explicitly in the scientific and economic interests of the GDR.

7. With regard to conferences and conventions of international organizations taking place in the GDR, the equal participation of Israeli participants will be facilitated.

8. Guest appearances, performances, exhibits, et cetera, by GDR artists in Israel or Israeli artists in the GDR, require an especially careful preparation and review. Because of their public character, they are particularly suited to be used, or also abused, for political purposes. Such events need to be coordinated long-term between the Ministry for Culture, the Department IV of the Central Committee of the SED, the Department for Culture of the Central Committee of the SED, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Only after such coordination one can respond to Israeli offers and invitations.

9. The position of the Communist Party of Israel, as well as of the other progressive Israeli forces, is to be considered in contacts with Israel. In its political work, the Communist Party of srael is aiming at furthering the international isolation of the ruling aggressive forces in Israel which are closely allied with imperialism. Here [the party] is especially expecting the support from the socialist states. The Israeli communists do not reject activities of the GDR in Israel in principle. However, they are asking for advance information regarding such projects in order to provide support and advice and to prevent that delegates of the GDR might be politically exploited by the reactionary forces of Israel. 

Position Paper on Israeli “Reparation Demands”

The victims of fascism living in the GDR have been, and still are, subject to all the care of the socialist state based on legal provisions, notwithstanding their nationality, race, religion, social origin, or status.

The GDR is viewing it as its most important contribution towards fulfilling the legacy of all anti-fascist resistance fighters that it has forever eradicated on its soil the roots of fascism and racism, and thus also of anti-semitism.

As far as Israel’s “reparation demands” are concerned, the Potsdam Agreement did stipulate reparations to the USSR and the People’s Republic of Poland (Eastern reparations area) from the territory of the GDR. Claims from all other states eligible for reparations were to be fulfilled by the Western zones of occupation. It has to be noted here that the State of Israel did not exist at all at the time when the Potsdam Agreement was signed [on 1 August 1945].

In a protocol from 22 August 1953, the government of the USSR, in concordance with the government of the PR Poland, agreed with the GDR government that the removal of reparations from the territory of the GDR becomes completely terminated. Therefore the GDR does not have to provide any more material contributions towards the damages caused during the Second World War.