Former Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck has sharply condemned the actions of the Israeli government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. He spoke during a live recording of the ZEIT podcast in Hamburg.
Habeck stressed that a secure state for Jewish life is essential based on German history. He clearly named the injustice committed by Benjamin Netanyahu's government. The brutal response to the October 7, 2023 terror attack had not strengthened Israel's security but created anger and loss in Gaza. He criticized settlers in the West Bank who drive out Palestinians with brutal violence. This is basically terrorism, Habeck said. A reconstruction program is needed, yet Netanyahu's government appears to want Gaza to remain an eternal refugee camp. Habeck acknowledged that Germany has little influence in the region. Only Ambassador Steffen Seibert plays a relevant role there. He does not plan a political comeback.
