Israel’s Gaza assault ‘disproportionate’, says Germany
Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, says Israel’s assault in Gaza City is “disproportionate”, adding Berlin is weighing further action against Israel along with other EU partners.
Germany has suspended all military exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza after Israel’s security cabinet approved a plan to take over Gaza City.
Berlin has been one of Israel’s most enthusiastic backers, despite growing pressure on the Western-backed country during the escalating humanitarian emergency in Gaza and soaring casualty figures.
Germany doesn’t plan more moves against Israel over Gaza war
Further sanctions on Israel are “not necessary”, says Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, as Berlin’s position on the war in Gaza continues to drift from its Western allies.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has outlined a package of sanctions on Israel – including ending trade concessions and targeting far-right ministers – in response to the ongoing Israeli genocide.
“We will look at this again next week, but at the moment I believe that we have taken effective measures so far and that further measures are not necessary,” Wadephul told Deutschlandfunk radio.
In early August, Chancellor Merz announced a ban on German arms exports to Israel that could be used in Gaza, justifying the move based on its plan to seize and occupy Gaza City.
While others do so, Germany and Italy continue to oppose an immediate recognition of the state of Palestine, with Wadephul stating the step should be taken after a two-state solution is found.
The foreign minister said unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state “only hardens the Israeli position”.
Germany ratified the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in 1954 and is obliged to do anything it can to stop the genocide. None of this "further sanctions are not necessary" bullshit. The proposed sanctions are woefully inadequate as it is.
Majority of Germans say Israel’s actions in Gaza amount to genocide: Poll
A majority of Germans surveyed say Israel’s attack on Gaza constitutes genocide, according to YouGov polling data released this week.
The survey found 62 percent of respondents consider Israeli military actions as “genocidal” while only 17 percent reject this characterisation. Notably, 21 percent remained undecided on the issue.
The findings expose stark political divisions. Left-leaning parties showed the strongest agreement with the genocide label, with the right much less so.
However, more than half of AfD supporters – despite their typically pro-Israel rhetoric – also agreed a genocide is taking place, 56 percent, though they had the highest outright rejection rate at 24 percent.
