German minister praises Israel’s surprise attack on Iran
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has offered unqualified support for Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities during an unexpected visit to Tel Aviv.
“Iran has been destabilising this region for years, for decades, one has to say, with its support for terrorist groups to the north, to the south, to the east of Israel,” he said on the first visit by a senior German politician since Israel’s 12-day war with Iran.
The Iranian nuclear programme is “a real threat to Israel’s right to exist and also a threat well beyond, a threat for Europe as well”, Dobrindt said.
Tehran has been sent a clear signal that Israel, the US and other supporters such as Germany cannot accept Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon, he added. Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for purely civilian purposes.
Dobrindt made the comments while visiting the site of a deadly Iranian missile strike in the city of Holon with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
He described the attack as a “war on the civilian population” and expressed the conviction that Iran would use any nuclear bomb it developed against Israel.
Germany never changes... Just now Israelis are the Übermensch and over 600 Iranian lives lost, nearly 5,000 wounded means nothing. 28 Israeli lives lost in counter strikes is terrible as well, but have some perspective.
Germany seeks to partner with Israel on cyber-defence
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt says Germany is hoping to set up a joint cyber-research centre with Israel amid efforts to boost intelligence and security cooperation.
“Military defence alone is not sufficient for this turning point in security,” Dobrindt was quoted as saying by Germany’s Bild newspaper during a visit to Israel. “A significant upgrade in civil defence is also essential to strengthen our overall defensive capabilities.”
Germany, one of Israel’s closest allies, has increasingly looked to draw upon Israel’s defence expertise.
Last year, Germany was brought before the International Court of Justice over its arms exports to Israel, but The Hague-based court declined to impose emergency measures halting the transfers.
German police use force at pro-Palestine march in Berlin
Footage shared online by activists shows heated exchanges and violence between German police and pro-Palestine demonstrators in Berlin yesterday.
The footage, verified by Al Jazeera, shows police using force against a large group of protesters, including a 13-year-old boy and a veiled woman. In one video, officers confronted the child as he held up his scarf.
The video below shows police forcibly detaining a woman, causing her veil to be removed.
Last edited by SvennoJ - on 29 June 2025
