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German foreign minister reiterates Israel’s right to self-defence during visit to Jerusalem

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German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas reiterated that Israel has the right to defend itself against “the massive and unacceptable attack” during a visit to Israel on Thursday (20 May), writes Yossi Lempkowicz.

He emphasized that that Germany’s solidarity “is not limited to words”. “As long as there are states and groups that threaten Israel with destruction, it must be able to protect its inhabitants. Germany will continue to make contributions to ensure that this remains the case,” Maas said in a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi.

The German minister is due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top ministers for talks on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

He said “we support the international efforts for a cease-fire and are convinced that the violence must end as soon as possible in the interest of the people. I would also like to call for this here today,” he added.

“The fact that we see that Hamas is again firing missiles into the south of Israel, since we have arrived here in Tel Aviv, is for us an indication of how serious the situation is that the people of Israel find themselves in,” Maas said.

Ashkenazi said: “The fact that German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is now visiting Israel while sirens are sounding is the clearest sign of solidarity and Israeli-German friendship possible.”

He said he was “grateful for Germany’s support since the beginning of the war” and for condemning Hamas.

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Maas and Ashkenazi visited the city of Petah Tikva,  to the east of Tel Aviv, to view a building struck by a missile.

The German minister will also meet separately with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.

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