Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock can imagine German participation in a Gaza protection force. But first she hopes for a ceasefire.
Germany could participate in an international protection force in the Gaza Strip, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has suggested. “Just as we made it clear to Ukraine that we stand up for their freedom and their peace, I believe that this also applies to the Middle East. If we now need not only reconstruction, but an international protection force that guarantees that we finally, finally achieve peace in the Middle East, then that is also our common mission,” said the Green politician on Saturday at a small party conference in Potsdam.
A humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza war is within the realm of possibility, said Baerbock. This must include a cessation of Hamas attacks, a release of Israeli hostages and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
During an appearance at the German Catholic Congress in Erfurt, Baerbock was asked about her initiative, but she did not want to give any details in view of international talks. She mentioned the possibility of a protection force for a current reason, “because in my view now is the moment when we make clear what we have already discussed with others: We stand by a responsibility, without now going into the details, we have not even discussed them yet.”
She added: “Right now, in the last 24 hours or so, a new three-phase plan has been on the table. And that's why I said so clearly today that Germany is fully behind it.” This means that the other hostages will be released, that Hamas will stop the shelling and that the Israeli army can then gradually withdraw. If further contributions to security and reconstruction are needed for the continued ceasefire and for peace, then it is clear to her that Germany will be involved. “We will discuss how this will be done when we hopefully have this ceasefire that is now on the table,” said the Green politician.
In Potsdam, Baerbock explained how much Germany owes to its European neighbours, the European Union and its former enemies in World War II. “The fact that we can live freely and in peace in the heart of Europe is because others were there for us.”
In mid-May, Baerbock was still cautious about the Arab League's call for a UN protection force in the Gaza Strip. She stressed that this would first require a humanitarian ceasefire.
