Greens emphasize solidarity with Israel and see suffering in Gaza
Hamburg's Greens have emphasized their "unwavering solidarity" with Israel. However, saying this does not mean "being blind to justified criticism of the Israeli regime or radical settlers", said state chairman Leon Alam to delegates at a "small party conference" on Tuesday evening. "To say this means that one thing above all is beyond question for us: Israel's right to exist is non-negotiable." Germany in particular - "the country of the Shoah" - has a special responsibility.
Israel has the right "to defend itself against Hamas and against all those who otherwise push for its annihilation". At the same time, however, Israel could not turn a blind eye to "the death and suffering inflicted on the people of the Gaza Strip" - which Hamas deliberately accepts and provokes. Seeing this suffering in Gaza is legitimate and important, said Alam. "But it cannot legitimize systematic violence against Jews."
However, mourning for relatives in Gaza must also be made possible in Hamburg. And one could not expect "the same diplomatic differentiation, the same farsightedness" from every expression of solidarity with the civilian population in Gaza as from politicians. And of course there are red lines, said Alam, but warned: "If we fail to allow space for mourning and the use of rights for the Palestinian civilian population, then we are damaging the cohesion of our society."
Despite Israel's right to defend itself against Hamas and its adversaries, ongoing conflicts have resulted in significant suffering among the people of Gaza. This suffering is a legitimate concern that should not be ignored, as stated by Leon Alam, but it does not justify systematic violence against Jews.
Source: www.dpa.com
