German minister barred from Gaza visit
Press TV – June 20, 2010
German Development Aid Minister Dirk Niebel
Israel has refused to allow German Development Aid Minister Dirk Niebel to visit the besieged Gaza Strip in order to inspect a sewage plant financed by Germany.
A German ministry spokesman, objecting to the Israeli move, said later on Saturday that talks over Niebel’s visit to the Palestinian areas were still underway.
Niebel had hoped to visit a sewage treatment plant, financed with the German development aid, during his current visit to Israel.
“Sometimes the Israeli government does not make it easy for its friends to explain why it behaves the way it does,” Niebel told the German ZDF TV network program “heute” (today).
He further added that Israel’s latest announcement on easing the Gaza siege was “not sufficient” and that Tel Aviv must “now deliver” on its pledge.
Beyond that, Israel should be “clear” about how, within an international context, it wants to “cooperate with its friends in the future as well,” the German minister of the liberal Free Democratic Party said.
Earlier Saturday, the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported that the German parliament, with the support of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government, is to issue a cross-party demand that Israel allow the passage of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip by sea.
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Referring to the loosening of the blockade that the Israeli government recently announced, Niebel said, “if the Israeli government expects support for its new Gaza strategy, it must first of all ensure more transparency and for a new partnership.”
He said the blockade, which is aimed at preventing Hamas members in the Gaza Strip from obtaining weapons and materials to build rockets which are fired over the border into Israel, was not a sign of strength.
Rather, he said, it was, “proof of unspoken fear.” And he urged the Israeli government not to let the clock run out on the remaining opportunity for peace talks.
“It is five to twelve for Israel,” he said.
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the zionists feel it’s their right to keep milking germany — their actions are making some folks question the received historical narrative for 1933-45
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It is high time to dismantle this vile and murderous Zionist State and restore it to its indigenous people, the Palestinian Arabs. Zionism stands for endless warmongering and landgrab without end in sight.
The time has come to say enough is enough, unless we want to see a new Gaza Concentration Camp in our own country?
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Sewage treatment plant for Gaza, submarines bearing nuclear tipped missiles for Israel. Nice balance, Germany. If you read between the lines and hear the unspoken world, it should be clear that when those missiles fly, one or two or three will also fall on Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich (accidentally, of course). Those who dig the grave for others are liable to fall into it themselves……..
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