Germany says Israel ‘increasingly in the minority' on Palestinian issue

6 days ago

BERLIN: Germany's foreign minister said Thursday that Israel was increasingly isolated diplomatically over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the push by some countries to recognize a Palestinian state.Johann Wadephul said in a statement before heading to Israel that the recent UN conference on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — boycotted by the US and Israel — showed that 'Israel is finding itself increasingly in the minority.'Germany is one of Israel's staunchest diplomatic allies but Wadephul noted that 'in view of the open threats of annexation by some in the Israeli government, a growing number of European countries are ready to recognize a state of Palestine without previous negotiations.'Last week more than 70 Israeli lawmakers, including some in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, passed a motion urging the government to impose sovereignty over the occupied West Bank.Wadephul repeated Berlin's position that 'the recognition of a Palestinian state should come at the end of the process' of negotiations.He did however sharpen his tone slightly by insisting that 'this process must begin now' and that 'Germany will also be forced to react to unilateral moves.'Wadephul is expected to meet his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar and President Isaac Herzog, as well as Netanyahu.He will also travel to the West Bank to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

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UN warns expanded Israeli operation in Gaza to have ‘catastrophic consequences'

Al Arabiya

2 hours ago

Al Arabiya

UN warns expanded Israeli operation in Gaza to have ‘catastrophic consequences'

A top UN official warned Tuesday that expanding Israeli military operations inside Gaza would risk 'catastrophic consequences,' as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly considered total occupation of the Palestinian territory. A widening of the war 'would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza,' Miroslav Jenca, UN assistant secretary-general for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, told a Security Council meeting. 'There is no military solution to the conflict in Gaza or the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict,' Jenca said. During a visit to an army training facility earlier on Tuesday, Netanyahu said: 'It is necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, to free all our hostages and to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel.' Over the 22 months of war, Israeli forces have devastated large parts of the Gaza Strip, where repeated warnings of famine have increased pressure on Netanyahu's government to halt the fighting. Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to a tally based on official figures. Palestinian militants also seized 251 hostages, 49 of whom remain held in Gaza including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. The Israeli offensive has killed at least 61,020 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry. Speaking ahead of the Security Council meeting about the conditions faced by hostages held in Gaza, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he came to the United Nations 'to put the issue of the hostages front and center on (the) world stage.' 'I came to call for the immediate and unconditional release of our hostages,' he said. Jenca called during the meeting for 'all hostages held in Gaza to be immediately and unconditionally released,' while also highlighting the insufficient amount of aid that is currently entering Gaza. 'Israel continues to severely restrict humanitarian assistance entering Gaza, and the aid that is permitted to enter is grossly inadequate,' he said. 'Hunger is everywhere in Gaza, visible in the faces of children and in the desperation of parents risking their lives to access the most basic supplies,' Jenca added.

Trump declines to say if he supports or opposes potential Gaza takeover by Israel

Arab News

4 hours ago

Arab News

Trump declines to say if he supports or opposes potential Gaza takeover by Israel

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump declined to say whether he supported or opposed a potential military takeover of Gaza by Israel and said his administration's focus was on increasing food access to the Palestinian enclave under assault from Washington's ally. KEY QUOTES 'I know that we are there now trying to get people fed,' Trump told reporters on Tuesday. 'As far as the rest of it, I really can't say. That's going to be pretty much up to Israel.' Trump said Israel and Arab states were going to help with food and aid distribution in Gaza and provide financial assistance. He did not elaborate. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met senior security officials on Tuesday, with media reporting he favored a complete military takeover of Gaza. Trump had proposed a US takeover of Gaza earlier this year, an idea which was condemned by many around the world including human rights experts, Arab states, the UN and Palestinians. CONTEXT Israel's near two-year long military assault in Gaza has killed tens of thousands, caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced nearly the entire population and led to accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court. Israel denies the accusations and casts its military offensive as self-defense following an October 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants that killed 1,200 and in which over 250 were taken hostage.

Russia protests to Israel over alleged attack on diplomatic vehicle

Arab News

5 hours ago

Arab News

Russia protests to Israel over alleged attack on diplomatic vehicle

MOSCOW: Russia lodged a formal protest to Israel following an alleged attack on a Russian diplomatic vehicle near the settlement of Givat Assaf near Jerusalem, according to a statement issued by the Russian foreign ministry. 'On July 30, a vehicle of the Russian Federation's mission to the Palestinian National Authority, bearing diplomatic license plates and carrying personnel of the Russian diplomatic mission accredited by Israel's Foreign Ministry, was attacked near the illegal Israeli settlement of Givat Assaf, near Jerusalem, by a group of settlers,' Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement. The incident occurred 'with the acquiescence of Israeli military personnel, who were present at the scene and did not attempt to stop the attackers' aggressive actions,' she added. Reuters was not able to independently verify the Russian foreign ministry's report. Zakharova said the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv had submitted an official demarche to Israeli authorities.