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German Chancellor Scholz vows support for Israel won’t impact Ukraine aid

Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged Tuesday to maintain Germany's aid to Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion even as Berlin supports Israel in its conflict with Hamas.

Published: 24 October 2023 15:29 CEST
German Chancellor Scholz vows support for Israel won't impact Ukraine aid
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Denys Shmyhal (l), Prime Minister of Ukraine, take part in the 6th German-Ukrainian Business Forum of the DIHK, the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations and the German-Ukrainian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK Ukraine). Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Kay Nietfeld

“We are backing Ukraine economically, financially, with humanitarian aid and also with weapons,” Scholz said.

“This support will in no way be impacted by the fact that we of course since the horrible morning hours of October 7th have focused on Israel and the Middle East with the greatest sympathy and concern,” he said.

The German leader was speaking at a German-Ukrainian business forum in Berlin attended by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and joined virtually by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Scholz said Russian President Vladimir Putin had attacked Ukraine in an act of “imperialist delusion” and was “mistaken if he believes that he will endure longer than we will”.

“Ukraine will not stop fighting for its freedom — that has become unmistakeably clear in these more than 600 days” since the start of the invasion in February 2022, Scholz said.

“And you have our word. We will support Ukraine as long as necessary.”

READ ALSO: Germany pledges long-term military aid to Ukraine

After some initial hesitation, Germany drastically ramped up its support for Ukraine in the wake of Russia’s invasion. The country is now the second-biggest supplier of military assistance to Kyiv after the United States.

Scholz was the first foreign head of government to visit Israel since the shock Hamas attack and has emphasised that support for Israel’s self-defence is at the core of German foreign policy due to Berlin’s responsibility for the Holocaust.

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said this month that Germany would allow Israel to use two of its Heron TP combat drones and is considering a request for ammunition for warships.

More than 220 Israelis, dual nationals and foreigners were kidnapped by Hamas militants during their attack on southern Israel on October 7th that killed more than 1,400 people, according to Israeli officials.

Israel says around 1,500 Hamas fighters were killed in clashes before its army regained control of the area under attack.

More than 5,700 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed across the Gaza Strip in relentless Israeli bombardments in retaliation for the attacks by the Palestinian Islamist militant group, according to the latest toll from the Hamas health ministry in Gaza.

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POLITICS

German president decries ‘violence’ in politics after attacks

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Thursday he was worried by the growing trend of violence towards politicians after a series of attacks on lawmakers at work or on the campaign trail.

Published: 23 May 2024 14:29 CEST
German president decries 'violence' in politics after attacks

“We must never get used to violence in the battle of political opinions,” Steinmeier said at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of the German constitution.

The basic law, promulgated in 1949, was a response to Germany’s experience with political violence during World War II, Steinmeier said.

“No one knew better than the mothers and fathers of the constitution how violence undermines a democracy and tears down its foundations,” Steinmeier said.

READ ALSO: ‘Grundgesetz’ – what does Germany’s Basic Law really mean?

The threat of political violence had again reared its head in Germany, the president said.

“We have received news of physical attacks on elected officials and politically active people almost every day,” he said.

“I am deeply concerned about the coarsening of political life in our country.”

READ ALSO: How politically motivated crimes are rising in Germany 

Earlier this month, police arrested a man on suspicion of hitting a former mayor of Berlin in the head during a visit to a public library.

Franziska Giffey, who is now the Berlin state economy minister and a member of Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), was treated in hospital for light injuries.

Giffey’s assault came just days after a European member of parliament, also from the SPD, had to be hospitalised after four people attacked him while he was out canvassing.

READ ALSO: Why are German politicians facing increasing attacks?

Senior members of the government have also been confronted by angry mobs in recent months, with Economy Minister Robert Habeck blocked from leaving a ferry by a group of protesters.

In his speech, Steinmeier also recalled the politically motivated murder of the conservative politician Walter Luebcke by neo-Nazis in 2019.

“His death is a reminder of how hate can turn into violence,” Steinmeier said.

This week also saw proceedings open against the alleged ringleaders of a group who are said to have planned to storm the German parliament and overthrow the government.

The group of so-called Reichsbuerger, who deny the legitimacy of the modern German republic, allegedly planned to take MPs hostage and had compiled “lists of enemies” to be eliminated, according to prosecutors.

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