Much of the discussion focused on the Federal Republic of Germany's concern for Israeli security and self image as a protector of the Zionist state. A moderation of German support for Israel had occurred around the time of the October War, for example in Chancellor Schmidt's support for Palestinian self determination.

Robert Livingston of John Hopkins University described the German perception of a triangular German-Israeli-American relationship which the other parties do not share. This was described as the Federal Republic playing to the American gallery with respect to Israel and the perceived influence of the Jewish lobby in the US. When a conflict of interests occurs, the US gives priority to Germany, for example over President Reagan's visit to Bitburg.

Moshe Zimmerman of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem pointed to a normalisation of relations between Israel and Germany over the 1990s, with polls showing that 80% of Germans describe themselves as indifferent to the Palestinian- Israeli conflict. The idea that Germans feel a particular obligation to Israel is in need of revision.