As tensions escalate in the Middle East, Germany’s Interior Ministry has committed to sheltering 147 individuals from the Gaza Strip, aiming to safeguard the political interests of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The ministry’s response came in reply to a written inquiry from parliamentarian Andrea Lindholz.
It clarified that the commitment to accommodate these individuals, proposed by the Foreign Ministry, is subject to the condition that there is no information contradicting this step in each individual case.
This commitment covers the period from October 7th (the day of Hamas’ attack on Israel) until the 14th of March of the current year.
In her inquiry, Lindholz, who serves as the Deputy Chair of the parliamentary group of the Christian Democratic Union, Germany’s largest opposition party, expressed her desire to ensure that “these individuals do not espouse anti-Semitic views.”
The ministry indicated that the process of sheltering these individuals from Gaza primarily occurs via Egypt, noting ongoing discussions there to clarify whether there are reasons to exclude any individuals.
The ministry stated, “Security authorities examine security concerns in each case before making the final decision to shelter.”
Residence permits can be granted to foreigners entering Germany from abroad for reasons related to international law or urgent humanitarian reasons.
This requires the German Interior Ministry, or any agency appointed by the ministry to safeguard the political interests of the Federal Republic of Germany, to announce readiness to shelter the individual.
The ministry informed the parliamentarian that there are no statistical data indicating the number of individuals who have already entered the country among those committed to shelter.
It is worth noting that due to risks to the lives of civilians in the Gaza Strip from Israeli airstrikes or combat operations, as well as the current dire humanitarian situation in Palestinian territories, several German institutions are making efforts to evacuate local staff from there.
