Medico International Chief Warns Germany Prioritizes War Over Welfare

On the occasion of the global Anti-War Day on September 1, 2026, the human rights and aid organization Medico International published an appeal titled 'Ohne uns. Für einen Ausstieg aus der Logik des Krieges' (Without us. For an exit from the logic of war). The appeal criticizes the idea that military strength alone can secure peace, citing its evident failure in Ukraine, and warns against a shift towards 'warfare instead of welfare' in Europe. In an interview with the German newspaper der Freitag, Medico International's chief, Tsafrir Cohen, elaborated on these concerns, describing his personal experience of fleeing through rat-infested catacombs at night and asserting that the government knows how to wage wars but not how to end them. Cohen also pointed to current preparations for war, though he did not specify who is preparing it. The Anti-War Day has been observed in both East and West Germany since the anniversary of the German attack on Poland, with peace movements, trade unions, and environmentalists using the day to advocate against the logic of war. The interview and appeal highlight ongoing debates in Germany about militarization and peace activism.