Germany Urges Israel to Lift Bureaucratic Barriers to Aid for Gaza

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadhepul. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Tuesday urged Israel not to obstruct humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, Palestine through excessive bureaucracy and urged the release of withheld tax revenues that should be paid to the Palestinian Authority.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Tel Aviv with his Israeli counterpart, Foreign Minister Wadephul said the two discussed recent regional developments, including US-Iranian talks, the Israel-Lebanon conflict, and the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

While reiterating Germany's strong support for Israel's security, Foreign Minister Wadephul said "as good friends of Israel," they also discussed issues of concern.

He stressed that Germany expects the full implementation of the Gaza peace plan and that sufficient humanitarian aid must immediately reach Palestinian civilians.

"Bureaucratic procedures for certain spare parts or consumables delay aid organizations," said Foreign Minister Wadephul, launching Anadolu (7/7).

"Such small bureaucratic obstacles should not be allowed to interfere with assistance to 2 million people who are in dire need of humanitarian assistance," he said.

Foreign Minister Wadephul reiterated Germany's position that there is no military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and renewed Berlin's call for diplomatic efforts towards a two-state solution through negotiations.

He also urged Israel to release blocked tax and customs revenues that should be paid to the Palestinian Authority.

"Palestinians in the West Bank need a perspective for the future - a political and economic future," he said.

"I reiterate today that although the Palestinian Authority is not perfect and desperately needs reform, weakening it will not benefit Israel's security. On the contrary, it can create a vacuum that may be filled by other, more radical forces," he said.

Foreign Minister Wadephul emphasized that the Palestinian Authority needs the funds to provide essential services in the fields of security, education, and health care. "Therefore, I once again call for the release of funds owed to the Palestinian Authority," he said.

The German Foreign Minister also renewed Berlin's criticism of Israel's plans to expand settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

"Settlement projects threaten to block the path to peace," he said.

"Therefore, we view the development of sustainable settlements with great concern. The de facto annexation of parts of the West Bank is internationally unacceptable and cannot be legally recognized by Germany," said Foreign Minister Wadephul.