During her visit to Jerusalem on Sunday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on Israel to exercise restraint in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, emphasizing the need for “a more measured approach.”
Speaking to reporters after discussions with her Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Baerbock stated, “The suffering of a significant number of people cannot continue. We need a more measured approach to the operations.”
She added, “It becomes increasingly clear day by day that the Israeli military must do more to protect civilians in Gaza, and there must be ways to combat Hamas without causing extensive suffering to Palestinians.”
Germany has provided unconditional support to Israel since the outbreak of the conflict, which erupted following an unprecedented attack by the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas inside Israeli territory on October 7th.
Baerbock reaffirmed, “I want to reiterate that your country can count on our solidarity in the fight against blind terrorism that seeks to erase Israel from the map. The war would have ended a long time ago if Hamas had not continued its extremist and irrational fighting.”
However, she pointed out that she has “clearly told” her counterparts that they must consider all aspects, including “how the Israeli military conducts this war, the government’s post-war plans, and how the Israeli government views the suffering of Palestinians, as all of this affects Israel’s security.”
The German Minister warned against calls by Israeli right-wing ministers to allow Jewish settlers to return to Gaza and potentially “displace” Palestinians, stating firmly, “Gaza belongs to the Palestinians, and there is no turning back. They should not be expelled from Gaza.”
During her visit to the Middle East, Baerbock, making her fourth visit since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, is set to meet with Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki. She will then proceed to Egypt, where she will meet with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, followed by a visit to Lebanon.
