German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz has promised continued military support for Israel.
This came as Scholz delivered a broad policy speech in the Bundestag in Berlin.
The Chancellor talked about German industry, Ukraine, domestic politics, and the conflict in the Middle East.
Addressing lawmakers at the German parliament, Scholz stressed that Germany must keep Israel “in a position to defend itself,” adding that “Israel can rely on our solidarity, now and in the future.”
“That is why we have supplied weapons and armaments in the past, that is why we are doing this at the moment, and we will continue such deliveries in the future as well. Israel can always rely on us for this.”
Olaf Scholz
Scholz’s comments came a few weeks after conflicting reports in German media drew attention to whether or not the government was slowing down arms deliveries to Israel.
According to a German news agency, the German government has, in the past eight weeks, approved military equipment and munitions exports to Israel worth around €31 million ($33.7 million) — more than twice as much as during the entire rest of the year.
However, the Chancellor emphasized that Israel needed to respect international law in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to enter the area following allegations that Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war.
He called for a cease-fire deal in Gaza, and repeated his belief that a two-state solution was the only way to end the conflict despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu having declared himself against the idea.
Scholz also urged Iran to stop its missile strikes in Israel, saying, “Iran is playing with fire. This must stop.”
Furthermore, the Chancellor took the opportunity to call on Germany and other Ukrainian allies to make a stronger push to help end the Russian invasion. “We must also do everything we can to find out how we can ensure that this war does not go on forever,” he noted.
He added that direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin were only possible in “coordination with our closest partners.”
Scholz emphasized that he would speak to Putin “if asked” but stressed that no decisions would be made without the input of Ukraine or other Western allies.
Referencing civilian casualties, he said it cannot be allowed that “so many women and men continue to die in Ukraine, victims of Russian bombs and missiles.”
Scholz stressed that he adheres to clear principles – never to make decisions without considering Ukraine’s position and without consulting with its closest partners.
Scholz also said that countless Russian soldiers are becoming “victims of the imperialist madness of the Russian President every day.”
“They are also victims of his policy of expanding his own country. This is something that must not happen again in Europe.”
Olaf Scholz
Scholz Highlights Need To Bolster Germany’s Industry
The Chancellor wrapped up his speech by discussing issues inside Germany.
He spoke of the country’s struggling economy and the need for the government to support German-owned businesses. “We have to fight especially for industry here in Germany,” he said, adding that “Germany is an industrial country.”
He then called for a special summit where lawmakers and industrial leaders could discuss economic policy.
Scholz also touched on recent state elections in Germany’s east where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) made particularly noticeable gains.
He accused the parties of promoting policies that sought to move Germany away from the European Union and other western allies, in particular towards closer relations with Russia.
The Chancellor called such proposals “a threat to our security” and said that Germany would not abandon its allies.
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