A group of politicians within the Social Democratic Party are calling on the German government to join the 28-nation call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The CDU/CSU union is defending its refusal to sign the declaration.
There are growing voices within the SPD calling for a change of course in Germany's relations with Israel. It is time "for the federal government to join initiatives at the European level," said Adis Ahmetović, foreign policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, and SPD MP Rolf Mützenich, according to a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung. According to the media, the statement is supported by the SPD parliamentary group. On Monday (22.07.), the foreign ministers of 28 countries, including France and Great Britain, and an EU commissioner called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. The SPD MPs referred to this statement.
Politicians from the SPD, which is the junior partner in the ruling coalition in Germany together with the CDU/CSU, also called on the federal government to ban arms exports to the Israeli government. This is necessary "in order to consistently fulfill our responsibility under international law, which is also enshrined in our constitution," the statement said. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic and represents a humanitarian failure.
The head of the SPD parliamentary group, Matthias Miersch, told the "Deutschland" editorial network that Germany bears a special responsibility for Israel's security and the Jewish state's right to exist, but also for respecting international law and protecting the Palestinian civilian population. Miersch added that "double standards undermine our international credibility."
CDU/CSU Union Defends Decision Not to Join 28-State Declaration
The foreign policy spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Jürgen Hardt, defended the decision not to sign the 28-nation statement. "The Federal Foreign Minister did not sign the statement because it only reinforces what feels like the isolation of the Israeli government," Hardt told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is working tirelessly to improve the catastrophic situation in Gaza, using all channels.
However, Hardt added that "it should be a sign to the Israeli government that so many friends, and I include the SPD in this, are expressing their disappointment over the deaths in Gaza through sanctions, because they are no longer being heard in Jerusalem." A credible UN approach to aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip is needed, according to Hardt.
Merz sees no differences within the coalition
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the coalition was "completely united" in its policy towards Israel and the Gaza Strip. "There are no differences of opinion on this, both as a matter and as a course of action. On the contrary: The call on the Israeli government to immediately end this massive bombing of the Gaza Strip and to facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid is the common policy of the coalition in Berlin," said the CDU chairman.
Regarding the request of the 28 states and the EU Commissioner, Merz pointed out that there was already a joint statement from the last EU summit. This was "practically identical in content" to what was expressed in the current statement./ DW (A2 Televizion)
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