Journal Article - International Security
The Path to Atonement: West Germany and Israel after the Holocaust
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 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.
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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.
Want to Read More?
The full text of this publication is available via the original publication source.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.
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