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Merkel deplores Israeli move to deny German minister's entry to Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Berlin, Jun 21, IRNA -- A spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel here Monday deplored Israel's decision to block German Development Aid Minister Dirk Niebel from visiting Gaza.

"The chancellor deplores the fact that it was not possible for Minister Niebel to visit a project aided by the ministry. The chancellor assumes the visit can take place at a later point in time," said Christoph Steegmans during a routine weekly press briefing.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Niebel said Germany and the Zionist regime had talked in advance about the minister visiting a German-financed sewage plant in Gaza and the German government had hoped for a green light by the Israelis, but were told Saturday the reply was negative.

In other related news, German foreign ministry spokesman, Andreas Peschke said Niebel ought to have been permitted to tour the project in Gaza, because Israel had in the past allowed UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton to visit the Strip.

Niebel lambasted Israel over the weekend for barring him from entering Gaza, branding it a "major foreign policy mistake."

Speaking on German television Saturday evening, Niebel voiced outrage at the Israeli action.

"I would have wished for a clear political signal would be sent for an opening and for transparency," said Niebel, who belongs to the German Free Democratic Party (FDP).

"Sometimes the Israeli government does not make it easy for its friends to explain why it behaves the way it does," he added.

Niebel reiterated Israel's latest announcement on easing the Gaza blockade was "not sufficient" and that Israel must "now deliver" on its pledge.

Beyond that, the government in Jerusalem should be "clear about how Israel, within an international context, wants to cooperate with its friends in the future as well," said the German minister who is also the vice-president of Germany's most influential pro-Israel lobby, the German-Israeli Society.

Niebel warned the Jewish state that its policies were seriously endangering

efforts to revive Mideast peace talks.

The latest developments followed press reports that the German parliament was expected to discuss a government motion which would call for an end to Israel's sea blockade.

The motion which has the backing of the ruling coalition parties, as well as the opposition Social Democrats (SPD) and the Green Party, urges the Zionist regime to allow humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip via sea.