Opposition slams German government's silence on Gaza, humanitarian aid cuts

BERLIN

German opposition parties condemned the government on Wednesday for its continued silence regarding the ongoing genocide in Gaza and controversial plans to slash humanitarian aid in the 2026 budget.

Green party lawmaker Luise Amtsberg, speaking during the parliamentary budget session, sharply criticized Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul for the government's indifference to Israel's war crimes in Gaza.

"So far, we haven't heard a single measure from you that could actually put pressure on the Israeli government to finally end the humanitarian blockade in Gaza and thus the deaths of innocent people," Amtsberg said.

"Israeli settlement construction continues unabated, creating facts on the ground, destroying lives, and threatening the prospect of a two-state solution. And you can't even introduce sanctions on right-wing, extremist Israeli ministers or companies that support settlement construction," she said.

Meanwhile, Left Party lawmaker Sascha Wagner slammed the government for reducing humanitarian aid funding in the planned 2026 budget while simultaneously allocating billions for weapon purchases.

"This is short-sighted, this is irresponsible, this is the opposite of a peace policy," Wagner said during the parliamentary debate, noting that the budget includes €90 million ($105.7 million) in cuts for humanitarian aid through the UN.

"This budget cuts peace. And those who cut peace funding ultimately pay twice as much—with more conflicts, more refugees, and more insecurity, including here at home," he warned. "We need a genuine shift in foreign policy: more funding for humanitarian aid, stronger support for the UN, and increased resources for crisis prevention and civil conflict management," Wagner added.