A German chancellor speaks in the Knesset; an Israeli prime minister visits Berlin; the armed forces of both nations train together. Cooperation between Israel and Germany is growing, especially in the military realm. With this comes an increasingly important question: How much should Israel trust Germany?

Recent military cooperation makes Israel’s answer to that question clear.

On November 11, a date that recalls the struggle to end German militarism, Germany delivered the first Sa’ar 6 corvette to Israel, with three more arriving next year. Israel signed a contract with Thyssenkrupp shipyard in Kiel for four ships in 2015, and construction began in February 2018. The Sa’ar 6 is one of the most advanced fighting ships in the world, designed to shoot down large numbers of missiles, a challenge Israel expects in the event of war with Hezbollah. Defending its offshore gas platforms from Hezbollah’s arsenal of guided missiles is one of the nation’s top priorities.

The Sa’ar 6 is modeled after the German K130 corvette. Germany is currently building five more of these for its own navy, and they will all come with upgraded weapons and sensors and greater stealth capability.

Cooperation between the German and Israeli navies reaches far below the surface, too.

Germany’s Type 214 submarine is believed to be one of the world’s stealthiest. Now, it is set to get even stealthier—thanks to an Israeli company. Israeli Aerospace Industries stated in a press release on October 27 that its subsidiary, Elta systems, which makes electronic sensors for military equipment, will team up with Hensoldt, a German company with similar capabilities. The two companies will work to develop a new periscope unit, combining multiple communications and sensor masts into one compact unit. This decreases the submarine’s radar cross-section when surfaced, making it easier for the sub to communicate and find targets, while decreasing the likelihood of being discovered. Israel also operates a version of this submarine.

Learning From the Best

German arms manufacturers gain valuable experience by working with foreign nations, and Israel has been one of their most important customers.

Drone development is one example. Israel, experienced in fighting terrorism, has become one of the most advanced drone manufacturers in the world. This experience has benefited the German military for some time; Germany has operated Israel’s Heron 1 drone in Afghanistan since March 2010. In March this year, it extended that program until at least May 2021 for Afghanistan, and potentially until July 2022 in Mali.

Leasing the Heron 1 has given Germany technical knowledge that it can put to use right away as leader of development for the European medium-altitude long-endurance drone program. Further, Germany has already received the Heron-TP, an armed version of Heron 1, which will be leased for the next nine years. German drone operators are sent to Israel to train under Israeli Air Force personnel specializing in drone warfare.

Beyond industrial and research cooperation, Israel also cooperates with Germany on a strategic level. German and Israeli air forces train with each other every two years as part of the Blue Flag exercises. Trumpet contributor Josué Michels wrote on Dec. 3, 2019:

Around 1,000 participants and 70 aircraft from the five countries held various exercises to strengthen relations and build expertise. However, the Axis power of World War ii seems to be among Israel’s most trusted friends. The “most advanced air drill” was with Germany, and Italy’s participation held great significance.

Germany and Italy combined sent 12 aircraft to participate—the same amount that the U.S. sent. Approximately 250 airmen from the Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany “deployed to build strategic partnerships and complete aerial tactical training exercises,” Airman 1st Class Kyle Cope wrote on dvidshub.net.

The Luftwaffe has doubtless learned from Israel how to conduct stealthy precision strikes. It has also flown beside American and Israeli F-35 fighters, reputed to be some of the stealthiest aircraft in existence.

Not long after, Israel sent its own jets to Germany, for the first time, to participate in the “Blue Wings 2020” war games from August 17 to 28. This event “has enormous symbolic importance for many Israeli pilots,” wrote Michels in August this year. “One officer, who is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, told Agence France-Presse it is a ‘very moving event for all.’ The officer said that some of the other pilots participating are also descendants of Holocaust victims.”

A Question of Trust

The growing German-Israeli partnership is emotionally charged. It is fraught with memories of German violence against the Jews. This is why cooperation between the two nations today is hailed as an important step toward peace. However, the question still needs to be asked: Can Israel truly trust Germany?

Germany is gaining military capability, not renouncing it. In recent years, many world leaders and policy analysts have actually encouraged Germany to rearm. Many conclude that German militarism and anti-Semitism are relics of the past, confined to museums and a small fringe of society. The prospect of another war between modern, democratic nations seems like a fantasy.

Will Germany ever repeat its unthinkable past? The Trumpet has been answering this question since its inception. In Jerusalem in Prophecy, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explains that Israel will again suffer unimaginably, but contrary to popular belief, “it is not the Arabs who will destroy them. The friendship between Germany and Israel will lead to one of the biggest double-crosses in the history of man!”

We forecast this outcome because the Bible gives a detailed picture of where Germany and Israel’s cooperation is leading. Prophecies in the Bible refer to today’s Jewish state by its ancient name of Judah. Regular Trumpet readers know that when the Bible mentions Assyria, it is referring to modern Germany.

Ezekiel 23 shows that Judah will look to Assyria as an ally instead of God. There will be a strong relationship for a while—the Bible describes these two nations as “lovers.” But it will end in what Mr. Flurry describes as “one of the biggest double-crosses in the history of man”: Germany will actually turn and attack Israel. Hosea 5 adds more details: “When Ephraim saw his sickness, and Judah saw his wound, then went Ephraim to the Assyrian, and sent to king Jareb: yet could he not heal you, nor cure you of your wound” (verse 13).

This “wound” symbolizes the Palestinian peace process (request our free booklet on Hosea for more details). Eventually, today’s military cooperation with “the Assyrian” will lead to Israel calling on Germany to play a peacekeeping role around Jerusalem. However, the real danger will not come from radical Islam. The Bible reveals it will come from Germany. Psalm 83:4 describes Germany aligning with moderate Arab nations—many of which already receive German weapons—with the goal of wiping out Israel.

Israel and Germany are trying to move past their history in the name of reconciliation. Though well-intentioned, you can prove that this period of cooperation will end in a betrayal that will shock the entire world and spark war. Our free booklet Jerusalem in Prophecy will show you what to watch for as this cooperation deepens.