Germany Backs Egypt’s Gaza Reconstruction Plan

Germany on Friday expressed strong support for the Arab League’s reconstruction plan for Gaza, which stands as an alternative to US President Donald Trump’s proposed US takeover of Gaza.

“The German government welcomes the Arab League’s plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told a news conference in Berlin.

“The plan includes many valuable elements we can build upon. Constructive discussions should begin immediately,” he said, adding that Berlin maintains that Gaza must not pose any security threat to Israel in the future.

At the same news conference, German Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer stated that the plan contributes significantly to a sustainable solution by addressing political and security concerns in the Gaza Strip.

“We also believe that it is appropriate to rely on the Palestinian Authority as a key player in this process,” Fischer said. “The plan supports the long-term goal of a two-state solution and also a resumption of direct negotiations between the Israeli and Palestinian sides. We also support this,” he added.

When asked about Germany’s position on other plans and proposals, such as the relocation of Palestinians to neighboring countries, Fischer firmly stated that “forced relocations and expulsions are always contrary to international law.”

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Germany Asks Israel For ‘Genocide Clause’ if it Wants Arms

Germany has asked Israel to sign a “genocide clause” if it wants the continuation of arms deliveries.

According to the German newspaper Bild, the “genocide clause” is a precondition. The newspaper added that no arms were delivered to Israel from Germany since March.

This piece of news is trending on the social media and is generating much interest from bloggers. The clause, apparently agreed to by the Israelis government and delivered in a form of a document to Berlin on 10 October commits Tel Aviv not to use German arms for its war genocide in Gaza.

Apparently the document was good enough as an assurance for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who declared in parliament the following day that “We have supplied arms, and we will supply arms”.

The genocide clause insertion may have been pushed by the Economy Minister Robert Habeck and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock  of the Greens who initially sought a ban on arms shipment to Israel.

One blogger says that “Germany asking Israel to sign a ‘genocide clause’ is like an ostrich with its head in the sand.”

Another says “that won’t absolve anyone of wrongdoing” while a third adds “the clause is insignificant if meant to be a way of fulfilling Germany’s ‘obligation to prevent Genocide.’ Its much closer to an admission of guilt.”

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