Lawmakers from Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) on Tuesday called on the government to join 28 other countries and sign a statement demanding an immediate end to the war in Gaza, reported dpa.
"If international law is systematically violated, there must be consequences," SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch wrote on X. "Germany should join the UK's initiative and not opt out here."
On Monday, the foreign ministers of 25 countries, including Italy, France, Austria, Britain, Belgium and Canada, as well as EU Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, signed a joint statement calling for the war in Gaza to "end now."
Greece, Cyprus and Malta also later joined the initiative. Germany – which for historic reasons sees its fate existentially tied to that of Israel – is not among the signatories.
"The Israeli government's aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity," the letter states.
Miersch praised the 28 states, including Germany's "closest partners such as France, Canada and Austria," for sending "a clear signal," describing the humanitarian suffering in Gaza as shocking.
"Starving children, destroyed infrastructure, attacks on people seeking help: That goes against everything that international humanitarian law protects," the senior SPD politician said.
Miersch noted that while Germany bears a special responsibility for Israel's security, it must also urge compliance with international law and the protection of the Palestinian civilian population.
"Double standards undermine our international credibility," wrote Miersch.
Development minister backs statement
The SPD lawmaker's call for Germany to back the call for peace came after Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan, also from the SPD, expressed regret on Tuesday that Germany was not among the countries who signed the statement.
Alabali Radovan said the demand in the joint letter was "understandable," in comments to the Rheinische Post newspaper.
"I would have wished for Germany to join the signal from the 29 partners," Alabali Radovan said. The letter was signed by 28 countries and the European Union.
"What is happening in Gaza right now is unbelievable. Innocent children are dying. People are starving," she added. "What is needed now – not at some point – is an immediate and sustainable ceasefire."
Joining calls for Berlin to back the statement, SPD foreign policy expert Adis Ahmetović and former parliamentary group leader and foreign policy expert Rolf Mützenich wrote in a statement obtained by dpa: "The reports of starving children and a rapidly escalating famine show: We have reached the much-cited point of no return."
German Foreign Minister shares criticism
Despite not signing the statement, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed his concern on X about the "catastrophic humanitarian situation" in Gaza.
He said he had telephoned with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar, adding: "We urgently call on Israel to implement the agreements with the EU to enable humanitarian aid."
Brussels has not published details of the conditions agreed with Israel for the provision of aid to Gaza.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she had also spoken with Saar, telling him that "the killing of civilians seeking aid in Gaza is indefensible."
"All options remain on the table if Israel doesn't deliver on its pledges," she wrote on X.
Alabali Radovan further stated: "The civilian population in Gaza must not keep being crushed between the fronts. Children, families, the elderly, they need water, food, medical care and security."
She appealed to the Israeli government: "International law must be observed! Allow aid deliveries to pass through unhindered! Permit safe humanitarian corridors and unimpeded access for the UN and humanitarian organizations!"
(By Basil Wegener and Stefan Heinemeyer)
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
