Baerbock to Israel’s government: provocations must stop
Published: Thursday, Sep 5th 2024, 18:40
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Shortly before her visit to Tel Aviv, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on parts of the Israeli government to stop destabilizing the situation in the Middle East. "We firmly reject any attempts to shake up the existing status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem," said the Green politician at a meeting with her Jordanian counterpart Aiman al-Safadi in the capital Amman.
The words and actions of individual Israeli ministers, such as the visit of the far-right police minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, "are irresponsible and are already igniting an absolutely explosive situation. We expect the Israeli side to stop this provocation," said Baerbock.
The Temple Mount (Al-Haram al-Sharif) with the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. However, it is also sacred to Jews because two Jewish temples used to stand there. The Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem is under Muslim administration, while Israel is responsible for security. According to an agreement with the Muslim authorities, Jews are allowed to visit the site, but not to pray there. However, there are repeated violations of this.
Baerbock: Outbreak of violence in the West Bank causes great concern
Baerbock said that the recent outbreak of violence in the West Bank was causing the German government great concern. "Israel is the occupying power in the West Bank and is obliged under the Geneva Convention to uphold law and order rather than endanger it," she said. "This explicitly includes protecting the population from attacks by violent, radical settlers." The occupation by Israel includes the right and the duty to take action against all perpetrators of violence and acts of terror. However, she added: "You don't fight terror by tearing up roads, destroying water pipes and electricity grids or even blocking access to hospitals."
Jordan's Foreign Minister Al-Safadi called on the German government to impose sanctions against Israel. "After more than ten months of aggression (in Gaza), (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu will obviously listen neither to the UN Security Council nor to the advice of his friends in the West," said Al-Safadi. Netanyahu will continue the escalation if he is not threatened with consequences for his actions.
©Keystone/SDA
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