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Security of Israel is the prime motivation for Germany

Germany - Federal Government

Following the Hamas attack on Israel, the Federal Government is putting all its efforts into preventing the situation from escalating. Federal Chancellor Scholz has now travelled to Israel and Egypt in what Scholz refers to as an expression of solidarity in practice.

Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Visiting friends in difficult times: Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz travelled to Israel. There, he once again condemned the cruel Hamas terrorist attack in the severest terms. Germany supports the existence and the security of the state of Israel, he said.

The Federal Chancellor's visit to Israel and then Egypt is a practical expression of this solidarity. "As I said last week to the Bundestag, in such difficult times there is only one place we can be: at Israel's side," said Scholz.

Meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu

The security of Israel is the prime motivation for Germany - it is the maxim according to which the Federal Government acts. Particularly in this difficult situation, Federal Chancellor Scholz felt that it was important to re-emphasise this after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In the current situation, he said, it was perfectly clear that Israel had the right under international law - and also a duty - to defend itself against this terror. He warned all those protagonists who now thought it a good idea to intervene in the conflict from outside: "That would be a grave and unforgivable mistake."

Germany condemns the brutal attack by Hamas

The brutal terror against innocent civilians, including the murder of infants and the humiliation of Holocaust survivors, "sends a chill down our spines," said Federal Chancellor Scholz.

He stressed that we too feel the dreadful suffering of all Israelis whose relatives died during the barbaric assault, and that we share the unbearable anguish of those whose relatives have been brutally abducted. "Our attention is on them and all the other hostages. We are making every effort to bring about their release," said the Federal Chancellor.

Relieving humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip

The Federal Chancellor also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. As constitutional democracies, we are not indifferent to the humanitarian crisis in these two states, he said. He also made it clear that the Federal Government would continue its humanitarian involvement to relieve the suffering of the civilian population.

In contrast to Hamas, who are holding the population captive as human shields, Germany and Israel want to avoid civilian casualties, he said. Scholz had therefore spoken with the Israeli Prime Minister about improved humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.

Antisemitism has no place in Germany

Federal Chancellor Scholz concluded his visit to Israel with remarks on the situation in Germany: "Antisemitism has no place in Germany." Jewish life in Germany was a gift, he said. The glorification and celebration of violence was repulsive and would therefore be punished. Germany will protect Jewish institutions.

Travelling onward to Egypt: prevention of further escalations

As an immediate neighbour, Egypt is directly affected by the conflict. The same evening, Scholz travelled on to Egypt, where he will continue his efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating further. The important thing, Scholz stated, was "to remain in dialogue with everyone and to develop a perspective which prevents such an escalation." He will therefore talk, among others, with Egyptian President Al-Sisi about the situation and humanitarian aspects.