The Iranian missile attack “threatens to further escalate the already tense situation in the Middle East”, the Federal Chancellor emphasised in a statement. “Iran risks spreading the conflagration to the whole region – this must be prevented at all costs. Hezbollah and Iran must immediately put a stop to their attacks on Israel.” It is only thanks to the Israel’s air defence forces and its allies that the attack by Iran on Tuesday was able to be substantially repelled.

Hezbollah must withdraw

The Federal Chancellor stressed that Germany, together with its partners, would continue to advocate for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. “Such a ceasefire must be the first step to the complete implementation of UN security resolution 1701, which clearly stipulates that Hezbollah must withdraw from the area along the border with Israel,” Scholz said. He stressed that this would pave the way for the return of people to northern Israel while, at the same time, opening up the prospect of consolidating the rule of law in Lebanon.

Anniversary of the attack on Israel by Hamas

“Today, a few days before the anniversary of the terrible attack on Israel by Hamas, our thoughts are with the hostages in captivity and their families. Their fate must drive everyone to reach an agreement on the basis of the proposals made by President Biden,” said Federal Chancellor Scholz.

07 October 2023

“On the morning of 7 October, Israel woke up to a nightmare.” This is how Federal Chancellor Scholz described the callous attack by the terrorist organisation Hamas on Israel, shortly after it occurred. Hamas carried out a surprise attack, firing thousands of missiles into Israel from the Gaza Strip, executing over 250 young people at a music festival, and abducting dozens of Israelis to the Gaza Strip as hostages, including German citizens. Israel is still being bombarded with missiles.

Recommendations for German nationals in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Iran: Are you currently in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon or Iran? Are you worried about a relative? Key information in relation to the current events in the Middle East can be found here.

In the night of 14 April, Iran attacked Israel directly for the first time. The Federal Government condemned the attack and considers it a further escalation. The Federal Chancellor said that it was thanks to the excellent performance of the Israeli air defence forces and impressive support provided locally by international partners and allies that worse consequences could be averted. In a joint statement with the French President and the British Prime Minister, the Federal Chancellor warned Iran and its allies against further attacks on Israel. The Federal Chancellor addressed the Iranian President in no uncertain terms: “The spiral of violence in the Middle East must be stopped now.”

The Federal Government views with great concern the latest escalation of the Middle East conflict in Lebanon, in which numerous innocent civilians have been injured or died. This conflict between Israel and Hezbollah must not be allowed to turn into a regional conflagration. This would have terrible long-term consequences for people in the entire region. The Federal Government is convinced that there must be a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Further information about the measures taken by the Federal Government following Iran’s attack on Israel can be found here.

FAQ of the German Embassy in Tel Aviv: Are you currently in Israel? Has your flight been cancelled? Are you worried about a relative? Here you will find answers to the questions that the Germany Embassy in Israel is currently receiving most frequently in connection with ongoing events in Israel.

The Federal Government stands firmly with Israel

In his government statement issued on 12 October 2023, the Federal Chancellor made it clear that: “At this moment, there is only one place for Germany: alongside Israel.” Germany’s history and the responsibility arising from the Holocaust made it Germany’s perpetual duty to stand up for the existence and security of Israel, said Scholz. The Federal Government is acting in accordance with this principle. On the same day, the Bundestag expressed its cross-party solidarity with Israel.

“Israel has a right to defend itself against these barbaric attacks, to protect its citizens, and to pursue the attackers.” The Federal Government is supporting Israel with military and medical equipment. 

However, the Hamas terror is also causing suffering for the Palestinian civilian population and the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic. In all talks, the Federal Chancellor and Foreign Minister call for a significant improvement in terms of access and the supply of humanitarian aid for residents in the Gaza Strip.

History of the Middle East conflict: One of the key disputes in the Middle East is the unresolved conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. When the British mandate over Palestine came to an end, Ben Gurion proclaimed the state of Israel on 14 May 1948. Since then there have been repeated armed conflicts with neighbouring countries. Another key issue in this context is the future of a separate state for Palestinians.

The longer the war lasts, the more obvious it becomes that Israel has achieved many of its military goals in its fight against Hamas, and that the number of civilian victims and the suffering in the Gaza Strip are immense. This is why the Federal Government feels that it is high time for fighting to stop and for all hostages to be released. The Federal Chancellor and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are involved in many talks in which they call for the destructive spiral of retribution to be cut, and for constructive efforts to reduce tension and de-escalate.

What the Federal Government is doing on the diplomatic front

Since the attack on Israel by the terrorist organisation Hamas, the Federal Government has been working hard to ensure that the situation does not escalate into a crisis that affects the entire Middle East. The Federal Government is holding numerous talks aimed at defusing the situation and working towards the release of the hostages taken by Hamas, as well as to ensure that more humanitarian aid reaches the Gaza Strip.

The Federal Chancellor travelled to Israel and the region twice in this context, and he enjoys the full support of his ministers on this issue. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Annalena Baerbock, has already visited Israel numerous times, and has held talks in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister of Economic Affairs Robert Habeck, Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze, Defence Minister Pistorius and Minister of Education Bettina Stark-Watzinger have also visited the region to get an impression of the situation and hold talks.

These are increasingly also about the need to provide a perspective for the “day after”. After all, terror cannot be fought with military means alone: Palestinians also need a positive outlook. The Federal Government is convinced that a negotiated two-state solution is the only way to bring about a sustainable resolution of the Middle East conflict. This must apply to Gaza and the West Bank, and a central role must be assigned to a reformed Palestinian Authority.

Two-state solution: Germany firmly believes that only a negotiated two-state solution that is acceptable to both sides can lead to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Negotiations will be pivotal in terms of bringing about an independent, democratic, and viable Palestinian state – side by side in peace and security with Israel. 

What the Federal Government is doing on the humanitarian front

One thing is clear: fighting Hamas is a legitimate goal. However, this does not justify the great number of civilian victims in the long run. “We cannot stand idly by and accept the risk of Palestinians starving,” said the Federal Chancellor during his visit to the region.

The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is catastrophic, especially in the south. More humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip is urgently needed and the necessary aid must be provided reliably and continuously, which will require a massive improvement in the delivery of aid supplies from Israel to Gaza. 

A ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages are crucial in terms of easing the suffering. In the meantime, Germany will continue its contributions to alleviating the humanitarian crisis. The Federal Government is already one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid and development cooperation for the Palestinian territories, and it recently stepped up these activities. However, Germany also helps by providing aid supplies by air and sea, such as by means of special flights with relief supplies for the civilian population of Gaza and deliveries by ship from Cyprus to the Gaza Strip. Food is also delivered by means of air drops in which Germany participated between mid-March and May when over 315 tonnes of aid supplies were parachuted in.

Aid for the Palestinian territories: The Federal Government provides humanitarian aid to help those in urgent need. The aim is to give people the chance to live in dignity and security and to ease suffering. Development partnerships have a different goal and are aimed at achieving long-term and sustainable improvements in social, environmental and political conditions. For decades, Germany has been one of the largest donors of humanitarian aid and development cooperation for the Palestinian territories.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) will continue its development cooperation with the Palestinian territories in line with ongoing events. These activities are based primarily on an initiative for employment and stability in the Palestinian territories.

Care must be taken at all times to ensure that aid supplies do not fall into the hands of Hamas, which is why the Federal Government conducted a full review of its development cooperation activities. It was found that there were no signs of supplies being abused by terrorist organisations and that the existing control mechanisms have proven robust. 

Nonetheless, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) continues to investigate suspected cases and to respond consistently to any violations. This is why the BMZ and the Federal Foreign Office continued their cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) following a comprehensive independent review.

What the Federal Government is doing to free the hostages

The fate of the hostages abducted by Hamas in the Gaza Strip and their liberation is a key issue for Federal Chancellor Scholz and the Federal Government. The Federal Foreign Office has established a special task force for this purpose. 

In all his talks, Scholz is very clear about the fact that the Federal Government will do all it can to work towards the hostages being released. To this end, the Federal Government and its partners are promoting an agreement aimed at bringing about a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

What the Federal Government is doing in military terms

The aim of the government’s diplomatic efforts is to help de-escalate the situation in the Middle East. But Germany is acting on its pledge to stand firmly by Israel in other ways, too. Among other things, Federal Defence Minister Pistorius decided to provide Israel with medical materials, and also to return two drones to Israel that had been leased to Germany for Federal Armed Forces training.

At the same time, however, it is clear to the Federal Government and our partners that in its efforts to defend itself, Israel must comply with humanitarian international law. The number of civilian victims and the suffering in the Gaza Strip are immense, and far more must be done to protect the civilian population and civilian infrastructure. This is why the Federal Chancellor and the Israeli Prime Minister are repeatedly discussing the efforts required to maximise the protection of civilians.