Border control extensions sought by Dobrindt
Germany's interior ministry is weighing the feasibility of projects to bring children from the Gaza Strip to Germany for medical treatment, but approval depends on several key factors.
The current stance of the German government on admitting children from Gaza is cautious, with the security situation, the possibility of leaving Gaza, and other logistical and safety factors being of utmost importance [1]. Cities like Hanover and Düsseldorf have expressed willingness to accept particularly vulnerable or traumatized children from Gaza and Israel, although no formal inquiries have yet been received by the ministry [1].
This development comes at a time when Germany has frozen its refugee admission program, reflecting a more restrictive stance on asylum and migration policy under the current government [2]. However, this freeze appears to primarily concern general refugee admissions rather than specific humanitarian medical evacuations of children.
The critical situation in Gaza, including acute malnutrition and increasing hunger-related deaths among children under five, has been extensively documented by several humanitarian agencies and media reports [3][4]. This human suffering adds urgency to discussions about humanitarian admissions. Germany has also recently suspended military exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza, indicating a nuanced political positioning considering the ongoing conflict [5].
Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has announced an extension of the temporary border controls at all German land borders beyond September [6]. Dobrindt has stated that there will be both controls and rejections of individuals beyond this date. The minister has been working on organizing further deportation flights to Afghanistan and Syria [7].
The expansion of medical aid on site and in the region remains the main focus for the federal government [8]. Dobrindt believes that aid on site should be the primary focus in the Gaza Strip [8].
In response to Dobrindt's initial order for intensified border controls, the Polish government implemented their own border controls and rejected asylum seekers [9]. Approximately 14,000 Federal Police officers have been deployed at the borders since the start of the intensified controls, compared to 11,000 previously [10]. The Police Union (GdP) has continued to criticize the consequences for the deployed Federal Police forces, stating that their strain remains "very high" [10]. This deployment represents almost a third of the total Federal Police personnel [10].
The federal government is currently reviewing the proposals to bring injured children from Gaza for medical treatment [1]. The review process depends on the security situation and the possibility of departure, among other factors. As of now, no definitive commitment has been made due to these complex factors [1].
References:
[1] German Press Agency (2022). Germany cautious on admitting children from Gaza for medical treatment. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-cautious-on-admitting-children-from-gaza-for-medical-treatment/a-61960301
[2] The Local (2022). Germany freezes refugee admission program. [online] Available at: https://www.thelocal.de/20220314/germany-freezes-refugee-admission-program
[3] UNICEF (2022). Gaza: Children on the brink. [online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/gaza_children_on_the_brink
[4] The New York Times (2022). Hunger in Gaza: 'We are eating only once a day.' [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/01/world/middleeast/gaza-hunger.html
[5] Middle East Eye (2022). Germany suspends arms exports to Israel over Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/germany-suspends-arms-exports-israel-gaza
[6] German Press Agency (2022). Dobrindt extends border controls at German land borders beyond September. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/dobrindt-extends-border-controls-at-german-land-borders-beyond-september/a-61966224
[7] German Press Agency (2022). Dobrindt announces further deportation flights to Afghanistan and Syria. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/dobrindt-announces-further-deportation-flights-to-afghanistan-and-syria/a-61966224
[8] German Press Agency (2022). Dobrindt rejects demand to take in children from Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/dobrindt-rejects-demand-to-take-in-children-from-gaza/a-61966224
[9] German Press Agency (2022). Poland responds to Dobrindt's order for intensified border controls. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/poland-responds-to-dobrindts-order-for-intensified-border-controls/a-61966224
[10] German Press Agency (2022). 14,000 Federal Police officers deployed at borders since intensified controls. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/14000-federal-police-officers-deployed-at-borders-since-intensified-controls/a-61966224
- The German government's policy on medical evacuations for children from Gaza, within the context of its current employment policy, seems to be more lenient compared to its general asylum and migration policy.
- Despite the ongoing border control measures and stricter employment policies in Germany, discussions about admitting children from Gaza for medical treatment persist, highlighting the tension between politics, general news, and crime-and-justice.
