Scholz Visits Israel Ahead of Biden, Urges "Humanitarian Aid"

Warning to Iran and Hezbollah Amid Escalation Crisis

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, visiting Israel after the surprise attack by the Palestinian armed group Hamas, called for resolving the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Scholz was the first Western leader to visit Israel.

According to the Times of Israel and others on the 17th (local time), Scholz held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv and said at a joint press conference, "It is very important to say this here in Israel, which is going through difficult times. Due to Germany's history and responsibility for the Holocaust, we must help maintain Israel's security and existence."

He emphasized, "Germany and Israel are united as democratic countries that act according to justice and law even in extreme situations." He also urged humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip, where the humanitarian situation has reached its limit due to the ongoing full blockade by Israel for several days. He stated, "I discussed with Prime Minister Netanyahu ways for Gaza residents to receive humanitarian aid as soon as possible," adding, "We want to protect civilians and prevent civilian deaths."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Standing alongside Scholz at the press conference, Netanyahu said, "The responsibility for civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip lies with Hamas," accusing Hamas of "hiding behind innocent civilians and committing double war crimes." He called for international support, saying, "The whole world must unite behind Israel to defeat Hamas."

Referring to the Holocaust, in which more than six million Jews were murdered by the Nazis, he condemned, "The barbaric acts committed by the Hamas murderers from Gaza are the worst crimes committed against Jews."

Scholz visited Israel on the 7th, becoming the first Western leader to do so after the surprise attack by Hamas. After visiting Israel, Scholz is reported to discuss humanitarian aid measures for Gaza residents with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi during his visit to Egypt.

Earlier, after talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan in Berlin on the same day, Scholz warned Iran and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah not to intervene in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

He said, "The German government, together with its allies, is doing its best to prevent this conflict from escalating further," sending a warning message to Iran and Hezbollah to prevent expansion of the conflict. Scholz also emphasized, "The Palestinian people are not Hamas, and Hamas has no right to speak on behalf of the Palestinian people," adding, "The Palestinians in Gaza are also victims of Hamas."

King Abdullah II drew a line, stating that Jordan and Egypt will not accept Palestinian refugees from Gaza. He said, "The problems caused by the conflict between Hamas and Israel should not be passed on to other countries. There will be no refugees in Jordan, and there will be no refugees in Egypt," emphasizing that this is a 'red line' that must not be crossed by either side.

He stressed the importance of humanitarian aid to Gaza, adding, "Civilians must be protected regardless of religion or nationality."

The Times of Israel reported that following Scholz, U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Israel in solidarity on the 18th, and French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak are also expected to visit soon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.