Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he would cancel an upcoming meeting with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel unless the visiting diplomat cancels an appointment with two left-wing groups critical of Israel's actions in Judea and Samaria, Channel 2 News reported Monday. A senior Israeli official confirmed that the prime minister issued an ultimatum to Gabriel that he would scrap their meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, if Gabriel met with members of nongovernmental organizations Breaking the Silence and B'Tselem. Both organizations have been widely criticized by the Israeli Right for damaging Israel's reputation abroad and putting Israeli soldiers and officials at risk of prosecution. Speaking with German TV network ZDF on Tuesday, Gabriel seemed unfazed by the ultimatum, saying it would be "unfortunate" if the prime minister canceled their meeting, as "it is perfectly normal to meet with representatives from social groups during a visit to a foreign country. ... It would be inconceivable if meetings with Netanyahu were canceled if he met with critics of the German government," Gabriel said, adding that he learned of the ultimatum from the Israeli media. The German foreign minister said Netanyahu's move was "puzzling," but said that "even if the meeting with Netanyahu is canceled, it will not be a catastrophe, and this won't change my attitude toward Israel." Gabriel, who arrived in Israel on Monday after a visit to Jordan, is in the Middle East to press for a two-state solution to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Gabriel appealed to the Israeli government to continue to work for a pluralistic society and defy nationalism. "Democracy is the most difficult and at the same time best form of government because it continues to seek common ground in a never-ending dialogue, even despite very different viewpoints and positions that run contrary to peaceful coexistence," German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau quoted him as saying. Likud lawmakers expressed support for Netanyahu's move. "This is an important step in the fight against those who slander Israel internationally," Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely said. Likud MK Yoav Kisch noted that "the German foreign minister, and any other leader who wants to meet with those who spread poison against Israel, has to understand that legitimizing the hatred of Israel is out of the question." Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union) denounced the move, saying that presenting the German foreign minister with an ultimatum "could deal a serious blow to Israel's relations with the biggest economy in Europe, which is also a true friend to Israel." Gabriel was scheduled to meet with Palestinian officials in Ramallah on Wednesday. Ahead of his regional visit, the German diplomat said the deep and "unbreakable" ties between Germany and Israel are part of Germany's national identity and pillars of its foreign policy, but Berlin will continue to press for a two-state solution.
Speaking of Germany's support for Jordan's effort to help Syrian refugees, Gabriel noted that "by taking in Syrian refugees, Jordan plays a huge role and carries a great burden in one of the least safe areas in the world, and I am very grateful to the Jordanians. I can promise Jordan that as one of the largest humanitarian donors in the world, Germany will continue to maintain its support for its efforts."
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שיתוף כתבה
PM gives German FM 'ultimatum' over meeting with leftist NGOs
Netanyahu says he will not meet with Sigmar Gabriel unless visiting diplomat cancels meetings with Breaking the Silence, B'Tselem • Gabriel: It's perfectly normal to meet with representatives from social groups when visiting a foreign country.