Baerbock’s dilemma and Bas’ message on a memorable day

The most memorable moment

…cannot be pinned down to one scene alone. Was it the presence of Israel’s ambassador Ron Prosor? The eerie silence under the glass dome of the Reichstag when Bundestag President Bärbel Bas (SPD) called for a minute’s silence? Or perhaps her emphatic words before the official start of the plenary session, the first since the attacks on Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas?

Overall, the House has sent a clear message of solidarity to Israel. Almost the entire federal cabinet was present, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), as well as the parliamentary group leaders. They all paused for the victims of Hamas terror and gave a standing ovation for Ambassador Prosor, who took a seat in the official gallery with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The clearest message

…undoubtedly came from the President of the Bundestag Bas, who supported the sign of solidarity with clear words. She condemned Hamas’s “unprecedented terror” and “barbaric violence,” which “cannot be justified” and must be stopped “immediately.” Bas emphasized that Israel has “every right” to defend itself against “inhumane brutality” and to protect its people. “Israel’s security is German raison d’etre,” said Bas, who assured the visibly moved ambassador of the “full and unrestricted solidarity” of the German Bundestag. There was always applause for Bas’ words.

The most important answers

…answered pressing questions Annalena Baerbock (Greens), who was then available to MPs in a government survey. The high-profile guests, including the majority of their cabinet colleagues, had already left the plenary hall – and Baerbock had interesting things to report.

Baerbock reported that “thousands” of Germans have already been able to leave the country, including 17 school classes. These were first brought from Israel in different ways: some were taken by bus to Jordan and from there flown to Germany, other schoolchildren left via Iceland.

Why so cumbersome and not faster? The problem, as Baerbock described it: direct connections were discontinued and one had to prioritize. Leaving the country via detours was also the quickest option, at least for the time being. That is why it has been repeatedly made clear to other citizens that it is possible to leave the country with international airlines, said Baerbock. Meanwhile, everything has been done to ensure that German airlines fly directly from Israel again. From this Thursday onwards, Germans are to be taken out of the country on special Lufthansa flights.

The biggest dilemma

…is the volatile situation or, in Baerbock’s words, the “brutal game” of Hamas. All too often, the Foreign Minister was unable or unwilling to provide a concrete answer to other pressing questions. “There are Germans among them,” she answered with a tight lip when asked how many German hostages would be held by the terrorists and whether there would be any chance of getting them released. On the risk of further escalation Middle East, Baerbock said: “Yes, this danger exists,” without going into further detail.

Baerbock also condemned the Hamas terror as “barbaric” and spoke of a “breaking point”. The action is “unjustifiable” and Israel has the right to defend itself. In coordination with Israel and international partners, everything will be done to ensure that “this perfidious game with civilians does not work,” said Baerbock.

She repeatedly emphasized the importance of background diplomacy, which was now the “order of the hour” – and which she obviously did not want to torpedo. The hostages are part of a “script of terror” by Hamas, so they cannot report everything publicly. “To protect their lives, in the interests of the families, we have to proceed as carefully as possible,” said Baerbock. All conversation channels must be used.

Regarding aid for the Palestinians, Baerbock said it was “wrong” to stop vital humanitarian aid now because that was also part of Hamas’ calculations. Nevertheless, all aid to the Palestinians would be reviewed, including humanitarian aid. This is happening together with the United Nations.

The Foreign Minister assured that contact had been made with neighboring countries, which in turn had a connection to Hamas or Hezbollah in Lebanon, in order to have a de-escalatory effect. Federal President Steinmeier also made telephone calls to Israel’s “various neighboring countries” in order to “prevent a conflagration.”

The biggest annoyance

…represented the red-yellow-green lights that show MPs or cabinet members whether they have exceeded their speaking time. This Wednesday it lit up red again (speech time was lost), much to the displeasure of Bundestag President Bas: “Madam Minister, please!” Bas warned the Foreign Minister after a lengthy statement about German-Tunisian relations. “I remind you that MPs have the right to ask their questions. Otherwise we won’t get through this.”

Bundestag Vice President Wolfgang Kubicki (FDP) took it even more strictly. His shift began with a question from the AfD faction. Kubicki to the MP: “Unlike my colleague, I pay a lot of attention to time, so you will have to pay attention to the traffic lights, even if you don’t like it.” A little joke – but which Kubicki meant seriously: Later, the FDP deputy leader demonstratively tapped his microphone with a pen when the MPs exceeded their speaking time.

Almost forgotten

…Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens), who was also available to MPs to answer critical questions. Only after 65 minutes (of a total of 100 minutes) did an AfD MP ask a question that concerned her department: What does the minister want to do about unlawful terminations of bank accounts? The problem exists, agreed Lemke, and shouldn’t exist – a remedy will be found. She also showed a similar amount of esprit when it came to other questions, such as those relating to marine protection. Lemke wasn’t the only one whose thoughts were elsewhere this Wednesday.