Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended Germany’s abstention in the vote on the Gaza resolution in the UN General Assembly. Germany has “worked hard to reach a resolution from the United Nations General Assembly that does justice to the situation,” said Scholz. “When we didn’t succeed, we abstained from voting.”
The main aim of the negotiations was not to ignore “the fact that it was an aggression, a brutal, murderous aggression by Hamas that killed many people, children, babies, grandfathers and grandmothers,” said Scholz . “This cannot be accepted and we will clearly support Israel in defending its own security.”
The UN resolution, adopted by a two-thirds majority on Friday, condemns all violence against Israeli and Palestinian civilians, calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all “illegally detained” civilians and demands unhindered humanitarian access to the area Gaza Strip. It also calls for an “immediate permanent and sustainable humanitarian ceasefire” that should lead to a “cessation of hostilities”. There is no clear condemnation of Hamas’ terror as the cause of the war.
Central Council of Jews criticizes German abstention
120 countries voted for the resolution, 45 abstained and 14 were against. Germany also abstained, which was criticized by Israel. The Israeli ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, called on the Federal Republic to support his country United Nations clearly to have your back. “We need Germany’s support at the UN,” said Prosor on Saturday. Abstaining from a vote “because you cannot directly say that Hamas is responsible for this cruel massacre is not enough,” he criticized. The President of the German-Israeli Society, Volker Beck, also criticized the abstention.
The President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany also commented on the situation. “When it comes down to it in the UN, Germany now of all times has no clear stance against the relativization of Hamas terror,” said Josef Schuster Picture-Newspaper. He also complained: “Hate of Jews and hostility to Israel are flaring up again in Germany.” This happens openly on the streets, in lecture halls or theaters. He did not expect the development of the last few weeks in Germany. Schuster added: “Sometimes I don’t recognize this country.”
There was also criticism from the FDP. Secretary General Bijan Djir-Sarai said Daily Mirror: “The Foreign Ministry’s vote is disappointing and incomprehensible.” Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner said on Sunday evening on the ARD show Report from Berlin, he hasn’t been able to talk to Baerbock about it yet. “I just notice that Hamas is celebrating the vote and strongly criticizing Israel,” said the FDP leader.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended Germany’s abstention in the vote on the Gaza resolution in the UN General Assembly. Germany has “worked hard to reach a resolution from the United Nations General Assembly that does justice to the situation,” said Scholz. “When we didn’t succeed, we abstained from voting.”
The main aim of the negotiations was not to ignore “the fact that it was an aggression, a brutal, murderous aggression by Hamas that killed many people, children, babies, grandfathers and grandmothers,” said Scholz . “This cannot be accepted and we will clearly support Israel in defending its own security.”