Titled: Germany's Wadephul Slams Israel Over West Bank, Gaza, Calls for Humanitarian Aid
Criticisms levied by Wadephul against Israel during his Foreign Minister visit
In Berlin, the German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, fires a direct criticism against Israel's controversial settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, branding it a clear violation of international law. He stressed that this hinders the path towards a two-state solution, calling it "a violation that's going to make headlines," during his meeting with Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
Wadephul also addressed the emotionally charged situation in the West Bank and voiced his worries as a friend of Israel. "We can't sweep this under the rug when neighbors, allies, and closest friends start to question the government's commitment to peace," he expressed his concerns.
Germany, deep in support of Israel's security and existence, echoes international law principles, Wadephul declared. He felt duty-bound to remind Israel of these lessons from the past, advocating for a peaceful coexistence with the neighbors.
Moving the discussion to the Gaza Strip, Wadephul called for immediate action, stating, "The people of Gaza are desperately struggling to survive. They are walking for miles to receive food and medicine, only to return home empty-handed, or worse, not return at all due to violent attacks." He urged for swift and comprehensive allowance for aid organizations to operate in the region, considering it as an issue of both humanity and international law.
Addressing Israel's actions in Gaza, Saar retorted, "The Israeli army, notoriously the most moral in the world, is fighting this war as per the law." Further dismissing any responsibility towards the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, Saar quickly shifted his focus to Hamas, asserting, "Only Hamas is responsible for the suffering on both sides."
Amidst criticism, the Union faction in the German parliament rejected a weapons embargo against Israel, with Armin Laschet, committee chairman, asserting, "We will not restrict weapon exports during a period of threat." The SPD showed more restraint, recommending a case-by-case examination to determine whether German weapons are used to protect a state or to violate international law. The Greens pressed for restrictions to prevent German weapons being used in Gaza or the West Bank.
During the Bundestag debate, the Palestinian Authority representative in Germany, Laith Arafeh, argued for an immediate halt to all weapons exports to Israel: "We've passed the point of self-defense, and what's happening here is purely unacceptable," he stated. On the other hand, Beatrix von Storch from the AfD expressed her opposition to the proposal, stating, "No nation on Earth can tolerate such a terrorist threat to its citizens."
Sources: ntv.de, lar/AFP/dpa
- Johann Wadephul
- Berlin
- Israel
- Middle East Conflict
- Humanitarian Aid
- International Law
- Gaza Strip
- West Bank
- In light of the Middle East Conflict, the Parliament in Berlin passed a resolution on the Commission communication on the future of the European Union, emphasizing the need for Israel to abide by international law, specifically regarding settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and the provision of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
- The ongoing politics and general-news discussion surrounding the West Bank and Gaza has led to a debate in the German Bundestag, with factions advocating for different stances on the export of weapons to Israel, ranging from a complete embargo to a case-by-case examination, with the Greens pushing for restrictions to prevent German weapons being used in these regions.
