Philippe Sands, a Franco-British lawyer and recipient of the German Book Trade’s Peace Prize, has sharply criticized Germany's stance on the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, describing the country’s silence and restrictions on public discourse as “troubling.” Sands delivered his remarks during the award ceremony on Sunday, where German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier lauded him as a committed humanist dedicated to human rights, justice, and mutual understanding.
In his acceptance speech, Sands condemned what he called Germany’s “inappropriate silence” regarding Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He argued that those seeking accountability for alleged crimes against Palestinians should not be silenced or penalized for exercising freedom of expression. According to Sands, writers, journalists, artists, and other storytellers must be allowed to report and comment on these issues without fear of censorship.
Sands highlighted that while Germany has publicly condemned atrocities in other regions—including Yazidis, Uyghurs, Syria, Sudan, and Ukraine—it has remained largely mute on the situation affecting Palestinians since the escalation of hostilities on October 7, 2023. He described Germany’s silence as “loud” and expressed concern over restrictions on debate, especially in light of the International Court of Justice’s 2024 advisory opinion affirming the Palestinian right to self-determination.
Noting that several countries including Britain, Canada, and France have recognized a Palestinian state, alongside recent sanctions and strong criticism of Israeli conduct in the occupied territories, Sands said Germany’s continued reluctance to condemn Israel’s actions raises questions. He referenced recent remarks by the British Foreign Secretary, who characterized conduct in the territories as ethnic cleansing, and stressed that Germany “knows about ethnic cleansing” in Gaza but has yet to confront it publicly.
Sands acknowledged that some German officials have begun to break with Berlin’s traditionally cautious approach by voicing sharper criticism of Israel’s policies. He emphasized that such criticism does not equate to antisemitism or opposition to Israel but is instead a necessary acknowledgment of harsh realities. Calling for a break from silence, Sands urged Germany to confront international crimes “wherever they occur and by whomsoever they are committed, even friends, especially friends,” referencing Germany’s historical responsibility in the wake of the Nuremberg trials 80 years ago.
He stressed the importance of exposing “truth to power” and challenging prejudice and double standards, while warning against political interference in judicial processes. Sands referenced the United States’ recent sanctions and threats against the International Criminal Court and its judges, calling for protections that allow writers and jurists to operate free from intimidation.
Concluding his remarks, Sands quoted a Canadian poet, urging accountability for those in positions of authority and emphasizing the resilience of truth and justice amid adversity.