German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned the Israeli government not to use anti-Semitism allegations to put pressure on Berlin as Germany is increasingly criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza.
Wadephul said at a meeting in Berlin that the German government’s struggle against anti-Semitism and its full support for Israel’s right to survive “may not be exploited for conflict because of the war currently being launched in the Gaza Strip.”
“Although all the difficulties there, as the German government, we will not allow ourselves to bear political pressure and show a position of forced solidarity,” he said.
“Israel naturally has the right to act against Islamic Hamas, which is still holding Israeli hostages,” Vadfur stressed.
But the “duration, severity and consistency” of Israel’s military operations in Gaza lacked “proportionality”, he said.
The minister said civilians who have not yet provided basic food and medicine are also completely unacceptable.
Waddur said Germany relies on the State of Israel and bears special responsibility for this. “But we also support the people in the Gaza Strip.”
Regarding future delivery of weapons to Israel, Waddur said there is indeed a red line in Germany and is currently under discussion.
“When the German government sees the risk of violating international humanitarian law, “of course it will intervene and of course it will not provide weapons.”
Vodal said his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar will visit Berlin soon.
