The evolution of İsrael-Germany relations from the reunification of Germany to present within the context of the theory of social constructivism

Throughout history Germany and Israel relations have been always special due to their shared past. Despite the idea of the Nazi past and Holocaust, both Germany and Israel have overcome this tragic past and established sustainable and friendly relations. Since studying their bilateral relations by using rationalist theories would be insufficient and would not make a good sense, social constructivism approach has been decided to use in order to comprehend the bilateral relations between Israel and Germany. According to social constructivism material factors, identities, social practices, norms and rules are all important as they are the product of human interaction. They have significant affects on how states behavior in intentional relations. Especially for Israel and Germany one cannot deny the importance of ideational factors between the two actors. The past still affects both Israel and Germany. Their identities, collective memories, societal norms and rules and their social practices affect their bilateral relationships. Germany says that it has special responsibility to Israel because of the Nazi past and Holocaust. In order to fully understand this claim, using social constructivist approach is the proper way to go because not just material factors affect them but ideational factors are also there. Key Words: Germany, Israel, Germany-Israel Relations, Social Constructivism Approcah