Location in Gaza: SPD is committed to government for more criticism of Israel

In the Federal Government, the differences in the keeping of Germany to Israel’s warfare in Gaza are increasing. The SPD in the Bundestag is that Germany joins a claim of more than two dozen countries after an immediate end of the war in the Gaza Strip. The CDU defended the attitude of its Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul not to sign the declaration and warned of further isolation of Israel.

SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch wrote on the platform X: “If international law is systematically violated, this must have consequences.” Miersch: “Germany should join the Great Britain’s initiative and not to leave here.”

It is “correct that 28 countries – including our closest partners such as France, Canada and Austria – have made a clear signal”. Humanitarian suffering in Gaza is shattering. “Promoting children, destroyed infrastructure, attacks on those seeking help – this contradicts everything that protects humanitarian international law,” said Miersch.

Germany is particularly responsible for the security of Israel – but also for compliance with international law and the protection of the Palestinian civilian population. “Double standards undermine our international credibility,” wrote Miersch.

Merz sees no differences

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) again called the situation in the Gaza Strip “no longer acceptable”. “I also really want to emphasize the Israeli government with great emphasis to stop the massive military interventions, enable an armistice and, above all, to enable humanitarian aid for the population there,” said the CDU chairman in a press conference with the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in Berlin.

At the same time, Merz said that in his view there were no differences in this question with the coalition partner SPD. “There are no disagreements about it in the coalition. We are completely united in these questions,” he said.

The question of why Germany does not join the Great Britain initiative answered Merz with an indication of a previously decided declaration by the European Council. This is “practical (…) with what is now expressed in the letter”.

SPD MP require weapons stop

The SPD foreign politician Adis Ahmetović and the former parliamentary group leader and foreign politician Rolf Mützenich wrote in a statement that the dpa had presented and about which the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” first reported: “The reports on starved children and a rapid escalating famine show: We have achieved the much conjured up” Point of No Return “.

With a view to Federal Chancellor Merz and Foreign Minister WadePhul (CDU), the MPs, existing cooperation with Israel, such as the association agreement, would have to be put on hold and further measures such as the stop of weapon exports to the Israeli government will be enforced.

Ahmetović and Mützenich also urge to sign the international appeal, which 28 countries and the EU commissioner signed for equality and crisis management. In the international explanation, an immediate release of the hostages that are still captured in the Gaza Strip are also required. According to official Israeli information, 50 hostages are recorded there, of which fewer than half are still alive.

The government member regrets German attitude

Federal Minister of Development Reem Alabali Radovan (SPD) regretted that Germany has not joined the declaration. The SPD politician in the “Rheinische Post” described the request of the letter as “understandable”.

“I would have liked Germany to join the signal of the 29 partners,” she emphasized. “What is happening in Gaza is incredible. Innocent children die. People are hungry.” Alabali Radovan added: “It now needs – not at some point – an immediate and sustainable ceasefire.”

The Gaza War was triggered by Hamas and other Islamist extremists on October 7, 2023.

CDU sees signs in SPD frustration

The SPD, Jürgen Hardt, replied the SPD’s foreign policy spokesman: “The Federal Foreign Minister did not sign the declaration because it only reinforces the Israeli government’s felt isolation.” The “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (Wednesday) he continued that WadePhul is working tirelessly to improve the catastrophic situation in Gaza.

It must be “a sign of the Israeli government when so many friends, and I count the SPD to express their frustration about dying in Gaza in sanctions because they are no longer heard in Jerusalem,” said Hardt. The CDU politician pointed out that reliable UN aid access to Gaza would finally be needed.