From the Liveblog of
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Germany’s Scholz calls for Gaza ceasefire, says Jewish citizens must never again ‘live in fear and terror’
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FRANKFURT, Germany — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz again calls for a ceasefire ahead of the first anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war and warns against rising antisemitism in society.
“Unfortunately, on this first anniversary of Hamas’s terror attack on Israel, peace or even reconciliation in the Middle East seem more distant than ever,” Scholz says in a video message.
The German government “continues to persistently advocate for a ceasefire, which must now finally come about,” he added. “So that the civilian population in the Gaza Strip can be better protected and, of course, better cared for. And so that the Israeli hostages can finally be released.”
“We are in close contact with our international partners to prevent a further escalation of the conflict,” Scholz says.
He also warns against rising anti-Jewish sentiment in Germany and reiterates Berlin’s unwavering support for Israel.
“It must never be the case that Jewish citizens here in Germany have to live in fear and terror,” Scholz says.
“We will never accept anti-Semitism and blind hatred of Israel. The Jewish people here in Germany have the full solidarity of our state,” he adds.
The Times of Israel Community.