Gaza War: Celebrities appeal to the federal government for Gaza

With a public appeal to the federal government and the Bundestag, cultural workers such as Sandra Hüller and Fatih Akin are calling for an end to the arms deliveries to Israel. They are among the signatories of a petition that also requires a clear positioning of Germany for international law, humanitarian aid and immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The management of Akin and Hüller confirmed the signatures. Devid Striesow, Axel Prahl, Kurt Krömer, Fynn Kliemann, Laura Tonke and Luisa Neubauer are listed as further signatories of the petition.

The petition is entitled “Stop the war crimes in Gaza!”. Among other things, it says: “Internationally renowned scientists and scientists have been warning of a possible genocide since October 15, 2023 – based on documented, mostly courted statements by the Israeli government and army.”

“The responsibility weighs heavily”

It also says: “Since then, the catastrophe has increased further and more in front of the eyes of the world public and German politics. Despite these urgent warnings, the responsibility not to have been fulfilled by the international law obligations to prevent genocide.”

Since the terrorist attack of Islamist Hamas on Israel almost 20 months ago, the federal government has approved arms exports for almost half a billion euros to Israel. Israel decidedly rejects the allegation of a genocide. The United Nations and other aid organizations describe the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip as devastating.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) had sharply criticized the Israeli government last week, but apart from the threat with concrete consequences. Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul agreed to Israel further weapons aid before visiting his colleague Gideon Saar in Berlin.