Coalition dispute over Gaza: Israel’s ambassador to SPD politician: “betrayal of hostages”

The Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor has sharply criticized claims from the SPD after German support for the international appeal for an end to the Gaza War. “Of all things, a German participation in initiatives against Israel, like the statement of the 28 countries, is irresponsible,” said Prosor of the German Press Agency. “The Hamas is signaled that it is worth taking the negotiations in length. This is a betrayal of the hostages and a fighting service for the residents of the Gaza Strip.”

The President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, said: “The statements from the SPD parliamentary group on the situation in Gaza are disturbing in their one-sidedness. With the one-sided blame to Israel, they ignore reality in the Middle East and free the Hamas from any responsibility for the suffering of the Palestinians.”

CSU criticizes “one -sided pressure on Israel”

CSU state group leader Alexander Hoffmann also rejected the SPD parliamentary group. “This one -sided pressure on Israel is exactly what Hamas wants,” he told the dpa.

However, the claim was renewed from the ranks of the SPD parliamentary group. The foreign policy spokesman Adis Ahmetović even added again and accused the Union a lack of agreements. “It would be appropriate to admit mistakes and correct them by subsequently signing the explanation,” he told the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”. “And in the future it would be important that such decisions in the overall cabinet will also be advised intensively with the coalition partner in advance. In retrospect, differences in the rating in the cabinet were clear.”

Great Britain’s appeal initiated

The international appeal was initiated by Great Britain and signed by around 20 EU countries. In the explanation, an immediate end of the war is required in the Gaza Strip. “The war in Gaza has to be ended now,” it said in the text. “Further bloodshed does not serve any purpose.”

Germany had not joined. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) justified this with the fact that there was already a decision by the European Council with cover content. SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch has asked the Federal Government to join the appeal. Individual SPD foreign politicians even called for sanctions against Israel like an arms export stop.

Hoffmann also rejected this claim from the SPD. Such a step would have “dramatic consequences,” he said. “You can criticize friends, but you don’t sanction friends,” said Hoffmann. Israel is a state that is threatened in its existence. “And that is why an attitude of arms deliveries (…) would be a decision with dramatic consequences.”

Prosor: Hamas feels encouraged

Prosor said that a permanent ceasefire was within reach, but the talks had achieved a critical point. Hamas wants to secure its power base and always make new, unfulfilled demands. “It feels encouraged because the international statement for an armistice is effectively directed against Israel. This can be clearly felt in the current negotiations.”