According to an Israeli representative, Israel has officially filed a complaint against German Ambassador Steffen Seibert. The reason was Seibert’s participation as a spectator at a historic deliberation of the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on Tuesday, the official confirmed on Sunday evening. This is seen as interference in Israel’s internal affairs. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen’s complaint was transmitted via the Israeli ambassador in Berlin, Ron Prosor. A reporter from the Israeli TV station Channel 13 had reported about the process on platform.
On Tuesday, Israel’s Supreme Court dealt with a highly controversial judicial restructuring of the right-wing religious government in a historic court hearing. For the first time in the country’s history, all 15 judges came together to discuss eight petitions against an adopted amendment to the Basic Law. At the end of the almost 14-hour session, presiding judge Esther Chajut granted 21 days to submit additions. Only then will a decision be made.
Seibert was also present at the meeting as a spectator. In a video on
According to the ministry, Israel’s complaint was not received
The Foreign Office has now responded to the criticism from Israel and defended Seibert. “Following relevant political, including domestic, developments in the host country is a central task of diplomats,” said a ministry spokeswoman. It was “common practice” that Seibert attended the historic court hearing.
According to media reports, the official complaint was sent to the Foreign Office via the Israeli ambassador in Berlin, Ron Prosor. The ministry has not yet been able to confirm its receipt. According to the spokesman, it is also unknown whether the Israeli ambassador may have contacted Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock directly.
Seibert had already been criticized by Israel in the past after he was present as a private citizen at an alternative memorial event for Israeli and Palestinian families. They remembered their relatives who had been killed in the conflict on both sides. Some ultra-right demonstrators then disrupted an event that was taking place there in June with loud protests in front of the ambassador’s residence in Herzliya.