Journal Article - International Security

The Path to Atonement: West Germany and Israel after the Holocaust

    Author:
  • Kathrin Bachleitner
| Spring 2023

Summary

Atonement comprises a state’s official apology and reparations payments to another state for imposing on it mass atrocities, war crimes, and human rights abuses. A state has atoned only once: West Germany atoned to Israel for the Holocaust in 1952. Existing explanations identify the West German decision to atone for the Holocaust as an ethical choice or a domestic policy change growing from U.S. pressure. But atonement took place because it was a politically expedient option for both countries. 

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For more information on this publication: Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation:

Kathrin Bachleitner, "The Path to Atonement: West Germany and Israel after the Holocaust," International Security 47, no. 4 (Spring 2023): 79–106, https://doi.org/10.1162/isec_a_00460.

The Author

Kathrin Bachleitner

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