Germany’s new left movement slams government’s policy on Mideast conflict

BERLIN

Germany’s new left movement has slammed Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government over its Middle East policy, calling for more diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Popular leftist politician Sahra Wagenknecht, who announced plans on Monday to form a new political party, said the government should step up diplomatic efforts and seek to play a mediator role instead of taking sides and supplying weapons to conflict regions.

“I strongly condemn the barbaric attacks on Israel, it is a big crime. Nevertheless, there is a need to de-escalate the situation now, one cannot do this with military means,” Wagenknecht told a news conference in Berlin.

After the conflict escalated earlier this month, the German government has offered military support to Israel and pledged measures against Palestinian groups at home.

Germany's history entails a special responsibility towards Israel, Wagenknecht said – referring to the Nazi Holocaust – but underlined that the country also has a responsibility for the peaceful resolution of international conflicts.

“The Middle East conflict cannot be resolved militarily, and of course, this conflict has a history. Gaza has been an open-air prison for many years,” she said, referring to Israel’s blockade of the territory since Palestinian group Hamas seized power in 2007.

She warned that if Israel launches a ground offensive into Gaza in the coming days, as it has strongly suggested, this would bring unbearable consequences for the whole region.

“The Middle East conflict is again an example that shows that weapons and military actions will not bring calm to the tensions. On the contrary, there is a danger that many people will die, making the whole Middle East into a powder keg,” she said.

Wagenknecht said the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians can only be resolved by diplomatic means, and by a two-state solution, which would also take into account the interests of the Palestinians.

The popular politician is planning to establish a new party together with nine lawmakers who resigned from the Left Party (Die Linke) on Monday.

A poll last week by the Paris-based INSA institute found that nearly 27% of German voters said they could vote for a political party led by Wagenknecht.