Scholz calls for more humanitarian aid to people in Gaza

Jerusalem (dpa/d.de) - At a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a massive improvement in humanitarian aid to people in Gaza. He stressed the need for aid to be reliable and uninterrupted. “We cannot stand by and accept the risk of Palestinians starving,” he said.This was Scholz’s second visit to the Middle East since the attacks on Israel by the Islamist Hamas organisation on 7 October 2023. His trip also included talks in Jordan. 

At a joint press conference with Netanyahu, Scholz stressed that Israel had the right to defend itself against Hamas terrorism. At the same time, however, he suggested the Israeli Prime Minister rethink his strategy in Gaza. “Regardless of how important the goal may be, can it really justify such terrible costs, or are there other ways of achieving that goal?” the Federal Chancellor asked. 

Scholz also renewed his call for a two-state solution. “Israeli strategic security lies in Palestinian self-administration, in the partnership with Saudi Arabia and other states in the region, and in a sustainable peace,” Scholz said.