“Israel’s security is a priority for Germany,” Chancellor Olaf Solz made it clear after the terrorist attacks by the Palestinian organization Hamas in Israel. On the same wavelength were the statements of Foreign Minister Analena Burbock, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the presidents of the Christian Democrats, Christian Socialists, Conservatives, Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals.

At the press conference after his meeting with French President Macron in Hamburg at a joint meeting of the German-French cabinet, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “The attack by Hamas is horrific and barbaric. In these difficult times for Israel, Germany and France stand by Israel’s side. I personally assured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of this in a telephone call yesterday. Terrorism and hatred will not win, violence will not triumph.”

Unfortunately, however, individual pro-Palestinian rallies in Germany send different messages. “We will not accept that here in Germany on our own streets some people are celebrating the heinous attacks against Israel,” said Chancellor Scholz, clearly displeased, without saying that he intended to stop such pro-Hamas demonstrations.

The Palestinian Authority survives thanks to EU funding

In the past the chancellor has found himself in a difficult position on a similar issue. Last year during the visit of the president of the Palestinian Authority to Berlin, Mahmoud Abbas, in the joint press conference, accused Israel of multiple “Holocausts” against the Palestinians. Then the chancellor fell silent, apparently embarrassed. In retrospect he spoke of an “unacceptable” reference to the Holocaust.

After the terrorist attacks in Israel, Berlin focuses on German financial support for the Palestinians, which amounts to 250 million euros. Development Minister Svenia Schulze has announced that she will scrutinize any humanitarian project in the Palestinian territories in which Germany is involved. The German minister made it clear, however, that there is no direct funding of the Palestinian Authority and of course no funding of the Hamas organization.

The funding of the Palestinians is being reviewed in the wake of the attacks by Hamas and other EU member states, as well as Brussels, at a time when the voices of those who wonder if the money is really channeled exclusively to those who need it are getting louder. Let’s not forget that without the financial support of the EU, it is rather doubtful that the Palestinian Authority could survive.

Source: DW