Brussels [Belgium], May 28: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul threatened to take unspecified measures against Israel, saying Berlin would not export arms to Tel Aviv.
Speaking to WDR television on May 27, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned that Germany's long-standing support for Israel should not be exploited. Mr. Wadephul pointed out that Israel's massive airstrikes and shortages of food and medicine have made the situation in Gaza "unbearable".
"Our commitment to combating anti- Semitism and our full support for the right of the state of Israel to exist and its security must not be used for the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip ," said Mr Wadephul . "We are at a point where we must think very carefully about what steps to take next."
"When we see a risk of harm, of course we will intervene and certainly not provide weapons that would add to the crisis," the German official added. Wadephul said no new arms orders for Israel were currently under consideration.
Earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Israel's air strikes on Gaza against Hamas as no longer justified and "no longer understandable". Chancellor Merz is expected to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week.
According to Reuters, this is considered the strongest statement ever by the German government regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip. This change comes in the context of the European Union (EU) reviewing its policy towards Israel. The UK, France and Canada have also recently threatened to take specific action against Israel if Tel Aviv does not stop its military offensive and lift aid restrictions in Gaza.
Ireland to ban trade with areas illegally controlled by Israel
In another development, the Irish government on May 27 approved the drafting of a bill banning the import of goods from Israeli-controlled settlements, which include a number of residential, agricultural and business areas outside Israel's internationally recognized borders. The International Court of Justice last year declared Israel's occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip illegal under international law.
This is an unprecedented move by an EU member state, according to AFP.
"What I hope today is that when this small country in Europe makes a decision and becomes one of the first countries, and possibly the first country in the West, to consider legislation in this area, I hope that will inspire other European countries to join us," Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris said.
An update on the draft bill will be presented to the government "in the coming weeks", a spokesperson for Ireland's foreign ministry said. The bill is not expected to be passed into law before autumn 2025.
"This move breaks the decades-long deadlock and dilemma within the EU of on the one hand criticising settlements as illegal and an obstacle to peace, but on the other hand continuing to provide them with vital economic support," said Conor O'Neill, director of advocacy and policy at Christian Aid Ireland.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper