2024-09-11 17:29:38
Recent comments by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her visit to Israel have sparked controversy in both countries. At a press conference, Baerbock addressed the killing of six hostages by the Hamas terrorist group. Her comments suggested that Israel may be responsible for their deaths, despite ongoing efforts by the Israel Defense Forces to free the hostages.
Last weekend, Baerbock said: “This weekend showed that military action alone is not enough to resolve the situation in Gaza.” She added: “As we have seen, only military pressure puts the lives of the hostages at risk.” The statement implies that the actions of the Israeli military are putting the hostages in danger.
Julia Klöckner, a member of the Christian Democratic Union in Berlin, responded sharply: “This is absurd, a disgrace for Germany.” She noted that Baerbock of the Green Party had remained silent after the bodies were discovered, in contrast to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who immediately issued a statement.
Kleckner continued: “She was at a loss for words over the latest killing of Israeli hostages, while Baerbock always has words of sympathy for the people of Gaza. Now she accuses the Israeli military of killing hostages and calls for a complete end to Israeli military action. This is a reversal of the roles of aggressor and victim.”
Bild asked the German Foreign Ministry why Baerbock did not immediately respond to the killing of the six hostages and whether it held Israel responsible for endangering the hostages’ lives. The ministry said the safe return of the hostages was its “top priority” and confirmed that Baerbock had responded to the hostages’ killing.
The ministry’s response did not specify whether the minister believed Israel was responsible for endangering the hostages. However, the response did address concerns raised by the families of the hostages, who met with the MIL chief. They reportedly expressed concerns to Baerbock about further military efforts to rescue the hostages. Notably, Hamas, which is holding 101 hostages, was not mentioned in the ministry’s statement.
Earlier, Cursor wrote that a former Hamas hostage told how terrorists use prisoners for propaganda.