If a government does something, then that doesn't mean that the people do something. "Germans", "Jews" and "Muslims" are always a generalization (as opposed to

If a government does something, then that doesn't mean that the people do something. "Germans", "Jews" and "Muslims" are always a generalization (as opposed to "Most/Some/A Few Germans/Jews/Muslims") However, in this case the actor is clearly the government and it is a much more specific "subgroup" than "Germans". (Otherwise, we could as well write "Humans", "Mammals" or "Living beings" forget postwar ...).