Steinmeier in Israel
Germany is financially supporting kibbutz reconstruction
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (l.) and his wife Elke Büdenbender visit Kibbutz Beeri in the border area with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel together with Israel’s President Izchak Herzog. photo
© Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Kibbutz Beeri, co-founded by German Jews, is located in close proximity to the Gaza Strip. On October 7th it was almost completely destroyed by Hamas terrorists.
“It is far too early to think about reconstruction now,” said Steinmeier. However, many people are already thinking about returning. “Beeri and the many other kibuzzim deserve to be not only part of Israel’s history, but above all, to be part of Israel’s future.” That is why Germany has a firm will to help with reconstruction so that there is a perspective for the residents of Beeri. Young people from Germany, trainees in the skilled trades, for example, should also take part.
Israel has the dream of rebuilding the kibbutz and the entire area, said Israeli President Izchak Herzog. “We are coming back. We are rebuilding these places. They will flourish.”
Kibbutz Beeri, co-founded by German Jews, is located in close proximity to the Gaza Strip. The Hamas terrorists almost completely destroyed it. More than 130 of the approximately 1,300 residents were killed and more than 50 were kidnapped. Among them were people who had German citizenship as well as Israeli citizenship. The surviving residents were housed at a site near the Dead Sea.
Visit under the highest security precautions
Islamist terrorists from the Gaza Strip entered Israel on October 7th and killed more than 1,200 people there. Around 240 hostages were kidnapped, including several Germans. Israel responded with massive airstrikes, a blockade of the Gaza Strip and began a ground offensive in late October.
Both presidents visited the kibbutz under the highest security precautions, wearing bulletproof vests. Steinmeier, who was accompanied by his wife Elke Büdenbender, was shocked after visiting the destroyed settlement. Of course, people in Germany saw a lot of pictures and heard a lot of news after October 7th. “We had an idea of the brutality with which Hamas acted here. But being here in this place is something completely different.”
In the afternoon, Steinmeier visited the Auguste Viktoria Hospital in East Jerusalem, which was founded by Germans in the Empire. Steinmeier said he promised that Germany would support the hospital with one million euros next year. “Hopefully this will be a help that reaches the sick and the treatment.” According to its own information, the hospital is currently caring for 99 patients and their companions from the Gaza Strip who cannot return there because of the war. It specializes in cancer, among other things.