"We cannot treat Hamas as a normal partner since it does not accept the existence of Israel and this attitude is completely unacceptable to us," said Stefan Seibert, the new German ambassador to Israel, at a press conference he held on the occasion of his inauguration yesterday (Thursday).
Seibert arrived in Israel about two weeks ago, after in his previous position he served as spokesman for the German government under Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Regarding the "Dawn" operation, the ambassador said that "we condemned in the strongest possible way the launching of rockets by the Islamic Jihad - civilians should never be the target of such attacks. In addition, it became clear that many of the rockets hit Palestinian civilians and tragically killed children and civilians in the Strip Gaza, who are also victims of the Islamic Jihad."
Gaza, Operation "Dawn", photo: AFP
Launching rockets from Gaza during the "Dawn" operation, photo: AFP
Seibert also addressed the issue of the captives and the missing, saying that "it is terrible that there is uncertainty as to the whereabouts of two Israeli soldiers, and that their bodies are not returned to their parents. Our hearts go out to the families of the soldiers and the two Israeli citizens who, according to the assumption, are alive and being held captive by Hamas."
"The Iranian regime is encouraged to return to the agreement"
In response to a question regarding incitement in the Palestinian textbooks, Seibert said: "The anti-Semitic content in the PA's textbooks bothers us, and even though there is an improvement in the field, it is not satisfactory. Anti-Semitism and doubting Israel's right to exist are things we are not prepared to tolerate."
The nuclear reactor in Bushehr (illustration), photo: AP
Regarding the nuclear talks with Iran, which have been going on for many months and which Tehran is taking advantage of to get even closer to the bomb, Seibert refused to say whether Germany would set a deadline for the end of the never-ending negotiations, and only said that "We still believe that returning to the nuclear agreement is the best way out from the escalation against Iran.
"Such a move will contribute to the stability of the region, even though it will not address all aspects of Iran's threatening behavior, such as its activity through proxies in the region. We encourage the Iranian regime to return to the agreement as long as the opportunity exists. They must look at the whole package, which is comprehensive and fair".
Seibert also referred to the war in Ukraine and said: "This event changed our relations with Russia drastically - and not just for one year. It changed the way Europe and Germany look at Russia and work with it, and this change will last for quite a long time. Our solidarity and hearts are with Ukraine And so is the material aid we provide to her, including arms deliveries."
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