What they said أنجيلا ميركل ×

Israel's right to exist is part of Germany's fundamental national interest. I must always remember how I can help ensure the continued existence of the state of Israel, and preferably that it lives in peace. If Israel's right to exist is taken seriously, and I believe we must take it seriously, then there are some one-sided statements that I cannot understand and firmly reject. The Left Party 'Die Linke' in Berlin faces a particular problem in this regard.

What surprises me is the small number of voices we hear from inside the Gaza Strip criticizing Hamas and confronting its actions.

If we try to put ourselves in the shoes of the Israeli Prime Minister, we realize that this is an extremely difficult task. If there is a shelter under every kindergarten and every hospital, and Hamas members are sitting there, and they know that the only way to destroy their sites is to also attack what is above them, then the task becomes more complicated. The Israeli Prime Minister must do his utmost to ensure the security of his citizens, just as German citizens expect their leaders to ensure their security.