A few days after the Iranian attack, the foreign ministers of Germany and the United Kingdom are traveling to Israel. They are warning of a regional escalation. Meanwhile, the EU is announcing new sanctions against Iran.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock again urged Israel on Wednesday to react with restraint to Sunday's Iranian attack: "The calculation of a further spiral of hatred, violence, and escalation must not succeed," the Green Party politician said during her seventh trip to the Jewish state since the Hamas attack on October 7. She clarified that she was not talking about "caving in": "I am talking about prudent restraint, which is nothing less than strength, because Israel has already demonstrated strength with its defensive victory over the weekend."
At the same time, the minister made it clear to Iran that "this action cannot go unpunished." The European Council announced on Wednesday that the European Union would "take further restrictive measures against Iran, particularly with regard to drones and missiles." Council President Charles Michel spoke of new sanctions: "This is a clear signal that we wanted to send." The aim is to target the companies involved in the production of drones and missiles.
Baerbock: Revolutionary Guards could face additional sanctions
Referring to the debate in Germany surrounding sanctions against the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Baerbock emphasized on the evening news program "Tagesthemen" that they are already "listed" and sanctioned, as are leading Iranian politicians: "Nevertheless, we will expand this further." Germany is demanding that Brussels examine whether the Revolutionary Guard could also be listed under a further sanctions regime. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz (Likud) had previously called on Germany and its EU partners to declare the Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization.
The foreign minister flew to Israel on Tuesday. During her visit, she consulted with her British counterpart, David Cameron, who was also in Jerusalem. Cameron, too, emphasized the need for "cool heads" to prevail in Israel. The Conservative leader also stated that it was "clear" the Israelis had made a decision to act.
Joint meetings with Cameron
Baerbock and Cameron met together with Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog and Benny Gantz (State Camp), Minister in the War Cabinet. They held separate talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) and Foreign Minister Katz.
Both Cameron and Baerbock again addressed the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip: "We will not allow the international community to turn its attention away from the people of Gaza, from the situation of the hostages, in this tense situation," said the German Foreign Minister. She noted that more trucks had been entering the Gaza Strip in recent days. Now, everything must be done to ensure that food and medicine reach the people.
Netanyahu: "We decide for ourselves"
Baerbock also met with relatives of hostages still in the Gaza Strip. Addressing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, she said: "Finally release these innocent children, women, and men!" Cameron explained that Israel had presented Hamas with a good offer for a hostage deal; Hamas had said "no": "I think it's important that the world now looks at why this conflict continues: because Hamas is not agreeing to a hostage deal."
Following the meetings with Cameron and Baerbock, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated: “I thank our friends for their support in defending Israel – both in words and in deeds. They also offer all sorts of suggestions and advice, which I appreciate; however, I would like to make it clear: We make our own decisions.”
President Herzog spoke of a "warm discussion" with the ministers: "The whole world must work decisively against the threat posed by the Iranian regime, which is intent on undermining the stability of the entire region." (Israelnetz)
