The Germans did not sign the appeal on Gaza. The head of the MFA explains the decision of the government

natemat.pl 1 day ago

Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful defends the government's decision not to sign an appeal to immediately end the war in the Gaza Strip. The paper was signed by 28 countries.

"No 1 can require us to leave Israel," said Johann Wadephul in a conversation with the weekly "Die Zeit". As he stressed, Israel is threatened by Iran, the pro-Iran militias of Huti and Hezbollah, and the extremist muslim group of Hamas.

"We stand by Israel"

"First of all, however, we cannot let the perfidious Hamas game, which continues to usage both the hostages and the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip as a bargaining card, to be successful," added Johann Wadephul. Germany cannot be a "neutral mediator" in this conflict, "because we are biased. We stand by Israel."

The Minister stressed that the national Republic of Germany is besides highly recognised among the arabian countries. "Many see us as a European force affecting Israel. This is besides why many arabian colleagues talk to me," he said.

Johann Wadephul added that so far no of them criticised the supply of arms from Germany to Israel: "However, we are called upon to exert even greater political force on Israel."

The head of the German MFA sees an improvement in the humanitarian aid situation in Gaza. "I see any progress, but it is far from sufficient," Johann Wadeful told weekly "Die Zeit". "We are working on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which must again let full access to humanitarian aid," he added.

"The suffering has reached a fresh level"

On Monday (21.07.2025) 25 countries, including the United Kingdom, France and Italy, in a joint message called for the immediate end of the Gaza War. 3 more countries joined on Tuesday and the European Commission. The message stated that the suffering of the civilian population in Palestinian territory "has reached a fresh level".

Signatory countries call on Israel to "fulfill its obligations under global humanitarian law" and "immediately" to lift the restrictions on humanitarian aid supplies to this region.

Germany was not among the signatories to this declaration. On Tuesday, the SPD parliamentary club in Bundestag called on the government to support it. However, before Johann Wadephul besides Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended the decision not to join him by the national Republic.