Middle East: WadepHul to Israel: Further weapons and sharp criticism

Foreign Minister Johann WadePhul ensures Israel further weapons aid, but at the same time demands rapid humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and expresses sharp criticism of the settlement building in the West Bank. “Germany has a commitment to the security and existence of the state of Israel and Germany is also committed to international law. These are two pages and the same medal,” said the CDU politician at a meeting with his Israeli colleague Gideon Saar in Berlin. These are “both teachings from the past,” he added.

Israel is attacked by terrorist organizations such as Hamas, the Huthi-Miliz in Yemen, the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and Iran-of course the country must be able to defend itself against this violence, said Wadephul. “And because of this: Of course, Germany will also continue to support Israel through arms deliveries. That was never in question.”

Wadephul: Humanitarian Aid Bid of international law

At the same time, WadePhul criticized: “What gets to Gaza in the moment of humanitarian aid is not enough.” Therefore, he had “renewed the urgent request to allow humanitarian aid for Gaza, along the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence and without restrictions”. This is “not only a requirement of humanity, it is also valid international law”.

Saar appealed to Germany to give the distribution of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip through an alternative foundation. “This effort has the potential to free the Palestinian population from the strangle of Hamas and end this war.”

Gaza Humanitrian Foundation (GHF) supported by Israel and the USA is controversial. The foundation is bypassed aid organizations of the United Nations and other initiatives. She was accused of endangering civilians and violating proven standards of neutral help. However, Saar confirmed that this type of distribution could prevent Islamist Hamas from acquiring relief goods. “We believe that the expansion (this system) will help to shorten the war.”

Saar: dependent on Berlin in difficult hours

60 years after the admission of diplomatic relationships with Germany, Israel is dependent on Berlin’s help “in our difficult hours”, said Saar. Israel is attacked on various fronts. “We know that Germany is on our side on the international stage,” added the minister. He invited WadePhul to come to Jerusalem again shortly.

The decision of the Israeli government to approve 22 settlements in the West Bank called WadePhul “in this form contrary to international law”. He installs the way to a two -state solution in which Israel and Palestinians live together peacefully by side. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas strictly reject such a solution. Votes from the Israeli cabinet that demanded an annexation of the West Bank, “considerable reputation risks for Israel” would recover, according to WadePhul. This costs trust among the neighbors, the ally and the closest friends.

“Recognition of state Palestine now wrong sign”

Against the background of the review of the association agreement between the EU and Israel, WadePhul advocated maintaining the agreement. This is precisely how there are opportunities to address critical topics. The recognition of a state of Palestine at the present time would be a wrong sign, added WadePhul.

Remembrance at the Holocaust memorial

At the Holocaust memorial, both ministers thought of the Jews murdered below the Nazi rule when the approximately six million. “The fight against anti -Semitism, the standing for Jewish life in Germany and the commitment to security and a peaceful future of the state of Israel is an obligation and will remain,” said WadePhul. Saar criticized, 80 years after the Holocaust seemed as if the teachings were forgotten. “Today, anti -Semitism rages unhindered in the world and especially on European soil.”