The German government is increasingly critical of Israel, but it will provide him with a weapon
“Even as friends, we can't ignore it,” Wadephul said during a meeting with his Israeli equivalent of Gideon Sa'ar in Berlin. – We reject it because settlement policy in this form is contrary to international law. It literally hinders a two -state solution, and this is a solution that we, as the German government, are still in favor of.
Last week, Israeli ministers announced that they approved 22 new Jewish housing estates in the West Bank, which means significant expansion. Wadephula's criticism appears after last week Friedrich Merz condemned the resumed offensive of Israel in the Gaza Strip in extremely sharp words as for the German leader, traditionally one of Israel's closest allies. The Chancellor stated that the scope of damage caused by civilians “could no longer be justified as a fight against Hamas's terrorism.”
Wadephul also said that More humanitarian aid should be let in the Gaza Strip and called for the end of the war. “It is absolutely clear that Hamas can never pose a threat to Israel,” he admitted. – But the fight with Hamas cannot be won in the long run only with military measures. The war in the Gaza Strip must therefore end.
While German leaders have tightened their rhetoric towards the policy of the Israeli government, It is not clear whether the Merza government will introduce specific changes in politics. Asked by a journalist if Germany would continue to provide weapons to Israel, Wadephul replied a simple “yes”.
Last week, Wadephul was quoted in the German newspaper “Sueddeutsche Zeitung” as a person who said that further deliveries of weapons to Israel will be subject to review on the basis of this “or what is happening in the Gaza Strip is in line with international humanitarian law.”
Since then, Wadephul maintains that the article was wrong, saying today that The position of Germany on the supply of weapons to Israel “There is no doubt”. Wadephul also called the EU not to revise or end the association agreement with Israel, which has been in force since 2000.
Sa'ar defended his government's offensive in the Gaza Strip. – Only Hamas is responsible For the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians, he said. – Israel takes our will seriously and intention to reach an agreement.
The minister added, however, that “pressure on Israel, attacks, […] threatening Israel sanctions, as some other European countries do, not only It will not help in these efforts, but will cause Hamas to tighten its position“.
