Middle East conflict - Söder defends Israel's fight against Hamas
Regardless of the United Nations' call for a ceasefire, CSU leader Markus Söder has backed Israel's actions in the Gaza war. "Of course we also sympathize with the people in the Gaza Strip, with the civilian victims," said Söder shortly before his departure in Munich. "Nevertheless, we believe that Israel has a right to self-defense and that it is necessary to focus on security now."
Söder arrived in Israel on Wednesday afternoon for a short visit. The Bavarian Minister President began his visit with a meeting with Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. Söder emphasized that he wanted to send a conscious signal with his visit to Jerusalem. It was very important to him personally, but also to the Bavarian state government, to show solidarity with Israel and solidarity with Jewish life. The visit was also at the request of the Israeli government.
The clear backing from Bavaria - even though it is only a German state - is likely to go down well in Israel. In view of the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip, the state is losing international support for its war against Hamas. At the UN General Assembly, more than 150 countries called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, which Israel indignantly rejected. Germany abstained, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), like Söder, reaffirmed Israel's right to defend itself.
Two months after the Hamas terror attack and the associated start of the Gaza war, Söder plans to spend just under two days in Israel. He will be accompanied by a small delegation. Söder plans to be back in Bavaria on Friday.
A meeting with Israel's President Izchak Herzog is also planned for Thursday. The program also includes a visit to a kibbutz in the restricted military area in the immediate vicinity of the embattled Gaza Strip. This is precisely where massacres by Hamas terrorists and other groups triggered the Gaza war on October 7. More than 1,200 people were killed in the attacks, which were unprecedented in Israeli history. Israel then began massive air strikes and, since the end of October, a ground offensive.
According to the United Nations (UN), the EU and the World Health Organization (WHO), the situation in the Gaza Strip is becoming increasingly catastrophic. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell even described the situation as apocalyptic. He said in Brussels that the destruction of buildings caused by the Israeli attacks was equivalent to or even greater than that in German cities during the Second World War. 60 to 70 percent of those killed were civilians. 1.9 million people had been forced to leave their homes.
Before the war began, more than two million people lived in the area sealed off by Israel, which is only slightly larger than Munich. Around half of these were children and young people.
Söder also wants to meet with victims of the attacks on site and hand over financial aid for a project to care for traumatized children and young people.
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- Despite the UN's push for a ceasefire, CSU leader Markus Söder firmly supports Israel's actions in the ongoing Middle East conflict.
- Söder's focus during his visit to Israel was to send a clear message of solidarity to Jerusalem and Jewish life, both personally and on behalf of Bavaria.
- Bavaria's backing of Israel, even amidst international criticism and calls for a ceasefire, is seen as beneficial by the Israeli government.
- At the UN General Assembly, over 150 countries advocated for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Palestinian territories, which Israel refuted.
- The Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas, has been the epicenter of conflicts between Israel and various terrorist groups, resulting in a significant loss of civilian lives.
- Israel's response to the Hamas terror attack included massive air strikes and a ground offensive, causing a catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip, as reported by UN, EU, and WHO.
- The Gaza Strip, known for its volatile conflicts, is home to around half a million children and young people, making the situation particularly precarious.
- Markus Söder plans to meet with victims of the conflict and provide financial aid for a project to support traumatized children and young people in the parish of Munich.
Source: www.stern.de
