BERLIN

The German government on Wednesday distanced itself from controversial comments made by its antisemitism envoy, who had expressed support for US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan.

At a press briefing in Berlin, the Interior Ministry spokesman clarified that Felix Klein, the commissioner for combating antisemitism, made these remarks in his personal capacity rather than as a government representative.

"Mr. Klein was not speaking on behalf of the government but rather expressing his personal views. The government, chancellor, and foreign minister have already made their positions clear on this matter," Mehmet Ata said, referring to the government's firm rejection of the plan.

At the same press briefing, German Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer reiterated that Klein's comments reflected only his personal perspective. "To be clear, the statement does not represent the foreign policy stance of the German government," he said.

Klein made the remarks in an interview with Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung on Tuesday, prompting widespread criticism from human rights activists and organizations. He said he viewed Trump's Gaza plan as "fundamentally positive," adding, "I don't think it's wrong to think radically and in a completely new way."

Last month, Trump proposed a plan to "take over" Gaza and forcibly relocate Palestinians, claiming this would transform the region into "the Riviera of the Middle East."

The proposal faced immediate and widespread condemnation from Palestinians, Arab nations, and countries worldwide, with human rights organizations warning that such a plan would constitute ethnic cleansing and a grave violation of international law.