German Greens Pressure Merz to Act on Gaza with European Peace Plan
Green Party Urges German Chancellor to Lead European Push for Gaza Peace Plan Amid Mounting Humanitarian Crisis
Germany’s Green Party is calling on Chancellor Friedrich Merz to launch a European initiative for a political process towards a peace solution in Gaza, against the backdrop of a looming hunger crisis in the embattled territory.
“Given the dramatic and unacceptable humanitarian situation in Gaza, the German government must finally move from the sidelines of commentary to action,” party co-leader Franziska Brantner told dpa in Berlin.
“A ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid and the release of all hostages can only be the first step. Above all, a European initiative for a political process is urgently needed, as this cannot be left solely in Trump’s hands,” she said, referring to the US president.
This process must secure Israel’s right to exist as well as ensure the Palestinians’ survival in dignity and self-determination with their own state, Brantner said. This could realistically only be achieved with the Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank, she said.
“The necessary capitulation of Hamas would massively accelerate the recognition of Palestine,” she added.
Serious pressure on Israel is needed
The Green party co-leader said Israel must face serious pressure, including “a halt to arms exports for use in Gaza, the suspension of trade facilitations and sanctions against Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir.” The two far-right politicians support, among other things, the annexation of the occupied West Bank.
Merz should lead such an initiative, together with the European Union, France and the United Kingdom, Brantner said.
On Saturday, Merz once again coordinated with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the dramatic situation in the Middle East.
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The chancellor later declared: “In the coming days, we will take the next steps in very close coordination.”
The British government said that Starmer, Merz and Macron had discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip, which they described as appalling.
They emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire, as well as the necessity for Israel to lift all restrictions on aid so that Gaza’s suffering population could be supplied with food.
Source: dpa
