diplomacy
Baerbock is promoting German policy for Gaza peace in Asia
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is received in Kuala Lumpur by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ihrahim. photo
© Michael Kappeler/dpa
There were no feel-good topics for the Foreign Minister this week: first the Middle East, then Southeast Asia, where China wants to expand its power. Finally, it’s about the Gaza war again.
This must mean “that Hamas lays down its weapons so that we can really reach a sustainable peace agreement later and a sustainable ceasefire.” Baerbock emphasized that Israel, like every country, “not only has the duty but the right to protect its population.” The Federal Government’s declared unwavering solidarity with Israel is sharply criticized, especially in Muslim countries.
Malaysia supports the Islamist Hamas
Malaysia maintains relations with and supports the Islamist Hamas. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in November that even possible US sanctions would not dissuade him. He emphasized: “We do not see Hamas as a terrorist organization.” The Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 triggered the Gaza war with Israel. Baerbock also met with Ibrahim for a conversation. There is no information about the results of the interview yet.
Baerbock: Central condemnation of the Hamas terrorist attack
After the meeting with Hasan, the Federal Foreign Minister said that she had made it clear that in order to strengthen international law “it is central to condemn such a barbaric terrorist attack and (it) is therefore crucial for us that we do this together everywhere.” She also emphasized that “it is crucial for us that we contain the catastrophic situation in Gaza as quickly as possible and that humanitarian aid must come into the country.”
The suffering of the Palestinians can only be ended “if the suffering of the Israelis is ended,” emphasized Baerbock. This requires “a universal perspective. And I very much hope that we can move forward together as an international community on this very path.”
Malaysian position on the war in Gaza
Malaysia strongly condemns Israel’s attacks on health facilities in the Gaza Strip and sees them as a violation of the Geneva Convention. At the UN General Assembly in October, Malaysia voted in favor of the ceasefire resolution.
The federal government is against a general ceasefire because such a ceasefire would deprive Israel of the opportunity to respond to Hamas’ ongoing rocket attacks. Instead, Baerbock advocates new humanitarian ceasefires to bring more aid to Gaza.
On the return flight there is a stopover in Singapore
On Friday evening (local time), Baerbock made a stopover in Singapore, which borders Malaysia, on the return flight to Berlin. There she met with Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. Singapore, home to followers of almost all of the world’s religions, has taken a stance of non-interference in the Gaza conflict.