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“It is time now to end this war” – Foreign Minister Wadephul travels to Israel and the Palestinian territories
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul talking with the United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Ramiz Alakbarov © Photothek Media Lab
Hamas is still holding hostages captive. At the same time, the situation in Gaza is disastrous. Foreign Minister Wadephul will discuss the dramatically worsened situation with his interlocutors.
On behalf of the Chancellor and the security cabinet, Foreign Minister Wadephul is travelling to Israel and the Palestinian territories today. Despite the ongoing negotiation efforts, Hamas is still not prepared to capitulate and end this war.
Foreign Minister Wadephul commented as follows today prior to his departure:
At Israel’s side, Germany will continue to advocate that Hamas finally sets free the hostages, which include German nationals, is disarmed and no longer exerts political influence in the Palestinian territories. It must never again pose a threat to Israel.
At the same time, the situation in Gaza has dramatically worsened. At a UN conference in New York this week, the international community stated its commitment to a two-state solution. In view of open threats to annex the Palestinian territories and the disastrous situation in Gaza, Israel increasingly finds itself in a minority position.
Germany stands by its special responsibility for Israel. Yet Germany can and must not be indifferent to the dramatically worsened situation in Gaza.
Prior to his departure, Foreign Minister Wadephul said:
At the same time, Israel must take immediate, comprehensive and durable measures to remedy the disastrous situation in the Gaza Strip. Germany remains prepared to do everything in its power to help alleviate the suffering.
Germany is already doing everything in its power to help people in Gaza. The fact that there have been humanitarian ceasefires and that more relief goods have been getting into Gaza in the last few days is partly the result of countless talks held by the German Government. What is more, in future Bundeswehr transport aircraft will take relief goods from Jordan to the Gaza Strip. Dropping relief supplies from the air is an additional means of quickly providing those in need with urgently needed food and other goods. But that is not nearly enough. That is why the German Government is working flat out to ensure that it is possible once more to deliver supplies by road.
Foreign Minister Wadephul stated prior to his departure:
Relief goods can only reach people in sufficient volumes by road. I therefore urge the Israeli Government to allow the UN and international relief organisations safe access, and above all, to ensure safe and effective distribution.
In addition to talks with the Israeli Government, Foreign Minister Wadephul will meet relatives of the hostages held by Hamas. Hamas started the current conflict more than 600 days ago with its brutal attack and holds dozens of individuals captive to this very day. The unconditional release of all hostages by Hamas is one of the prerequisites for the implementation of the two-state solution.
Foreign Minister Wadephul stated:
Germany is convinced that in order to resolve the conflict permanently, a negotiated two-state solution is the only way to enable people on both sides to live in peace, security and dignity. Germany regards recognition of a Palestinian state as a step more at the end of the process. However, such a process must now begin. Germany will not deviate from this goal. And Germany will be forced to react to any unilateral steps.
As well as visiting Israel, Foreign Minister Wadephul will travel to the Palestinian territories for talks in order to gain a first-hand impression of the situation of the Palestinians as well as the work of the relief organisations and the UN.