German president won’t meet Breaking the Silence during Israel trip

Germany’s president will not meet with Breaking the Silence during his upcoming trip to Israel, Spiegel Online reports.

Instead, Frank-Walter Steinmeier will deliver a speech about the danger to democracy, in which he will praise the controversial NGO. He is expected to quote from a recent speech Amos Oz delivered at the same venue, in which the famed Israeli novelist heaped massive praise on the organization.

However, Steinmeier plans to meet other leftist civil society organizations, his spokesperson told Spiegel Online.

Last month, Prime Minister Netanyahu snubbed German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel because the latter refused to cancel his meeting with Breaking the Silence. Netanyahu subsequently declared that he will not meet with dignitaries who legitimize groups that call for Israelis soldiers to be tried as war criminals.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel before his meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, April 25, 2017. /Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel before his meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, April 25, 2017. /Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

— Raphael Ahren

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