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Germany's Position on the Israeli Escalation and the Worsening Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
German Foreign Minister Johan Veddel said on Thursday that Israel is increasingly isolated diplomatically due to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and as some countries push for recognizing the State of Palestine.
Minister Johan Veddel confirmed in a statement before heading to Israel that the recent UN conference on the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which was boycotted by the United States and Israel, shows that "Israel is increasingly finding itself in the minority."
Veddel intends to hold talks in Israel and with the Palestinian Authority today Thursday and tomorrow Friday.
In previous remarks to the Berlin Playbook blog of Politico news website, the minister warned of a possible Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories.
Veddel, who belongs to the Christian Democratic Party led by Chancellor Friedrich Mertens, said: "There are politicians in Israel who constantly say that we will annex it. The Knesset has already decided that. Of course, this is not permissible, and it is also not justified under international law," adding that Germany does not approve of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
Veddel stated: "The main goal is definitely a ceasefire," while also calling for more humanitarian aid to Gaza, saying: "The number of casualties in the Gaza Strip is extremely high. We need to show compassion for the people there."
Ahead of German Foreign Minister Johan Veddel’s visit to Israel, the Social Democratic Party — the partner in the German coalition government — urged increased pressure on the Israeli government to allow more aid to reach the affected residents of Gaza by land.
Deputy Chair of the Party's parliamentary group, Zimti Moller, called on German television channel ARD today Thursday to exert "real pressure" to end the suffering in Gaza.
Moller — who is a member of the delegation accompanying the foreign minister during his visit — reiterated the Social Democratic Party's position advocating for an end to the supply of arms used in acts that violate international law, such as those carried out in Gaza.
