BERLIN. Finland and Germany agree on the war in the Middle East and Israel’s right to defend itself, Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (co.) said on Thursday during his visit to Berlin.
Israel is striking Gaza with force because the terrorist organization Hamas, which controls the region, attacked Israel on October 7.
– Without further ado, we condemn Hamas’s attacks and recognize Israel’s right to defend itself and its citizens – however, in compliance with international law and humanitarian law, Valtonen said.
Official visit by the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbockin it took about 40 minutes.
The ministers discussed what kind of situation would be required in order for both parties to the war to seek a permanent peace solution based on the two-state model. Before we get to that, “every civilian casualty must be avoided”.
– For all of us, the priority is to get humanitarian aid to Gaza. How it is implemented should not remain at the level of words, but in such a way that humanitarian corridors can be created and aid delivered. It will probably require several actions and humanitarian breaks, Valtonen said.
Hamas will not give up
EU countries have already demanded breaks in the Gaza war in order to deliver aid to the war-torn people.
Early Thursday evening, the White House announced that Israel had agreed to daily four-hour breaks in the fighting precisely to enable aid. During the breaks, civilians can also be brought out of the area.
– But even if Israel ends the defensive battle at the moment, Hamas has not said that it is ready for any kind of ceasefire, Valtonen pointed out.
– The Israeli army says that it tries to avoid civilian casualties, Hamas doesn’t even say that.
According to Valtonen, in a situation where there is an urban war, there will inevitably be victims.
– On the other hand, Hamas deliberately uses civilians not only as a defensive but also as a combat tactic, Valtonen said.
Finland has also appealed to Israel to protect civilians in its illegally occupied territories in accordance with international law.
– Also from the violence of their own civilians, Valtonen emphasized.
Difference: Arms export
According to Valtonen, the difference in Germany’s and Finland’s attitude lies in how the countries supply weapons to Israel. Germany’s arms exports to Israel have accelerated considerably since the beginning of October, ie almost tenfold compared to the same time last year.
Finland has increased humanitarian aid to both parties.
– Israel has not asked for help on a very large scale. Humanitarian aid will be increased primarily to the Palestinians in Gaza, but also to Israel. The ratio is four to one, Valtonen said.
Germany has also increased humanitarian support to the region.
Valtonen visited Germany on the day it was 85 years since Kristallnacht, a symbol of Jewish persecution.
In the rampage that started on November 9, 1938, the mobs destroyed Jewish homes, shops, synagogues and cemeteries. The Nazis took about 30,000 people to concentration camps and hundreds were murdered.
This time, Kristallnacht was remembered in an exceptionally spectacular way, because anti-Semitic, i.e. anti-Jewish acts and attacks have clearly increased again in Germany after the attack by Hamas.
Valtonen and Baerbock also discussed how the situation in the Middle East is now dividing nations internally as well.
– It comes close to all of us in society, especially here in Germany and especially today, November 9. It feels terrible that Jewish people and families have to be afraid in their everyday lives, Valtonen said.
In his opinion, Germany’s strong support for Israel is understandable.
– We all have our own history, and it affects today’s politics, which is geography. It is clear that for the Germans the Jewish question is special, and I would be much more concerned if it were not.
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