German Chancellor condemns Israeli minister's remarks on "liquidation" of Palestinians

Berlin, August 19 (KUNA) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned on Wednesday the remarks of a minister in the Israeli occupation government regarding the carrying out of “systematic assassinations” of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Sebastian Helle, deputy spokesperson for the German government, said at a regular press conference that Merz strongly condemns the calls by the so-called Minister of National Security in the Israeli occupation government, Itamar Ben Gvir, which are “an affront to human dignity and contrary to international law,” emphasizing that “they cannot be accepted.” Helle pointed to a preliminary decision taken during the recent European summit, which calls for preparing specific measures against hardline politicians in the occupation who advocate violations of human dignity and international law. He also criticized an announcement issued by the Israeli occupation government’s Ministry of Construction regarding the implementation of a new settlement project in the occupied West Bank, affirming that the German government is closely and deeply concerned about the recent steps taken by the occupation government in this regard. He called for no further annexation steps in the West Bank, nor any political, construction, or other measures that contradict the two-state solution and international law. (End) A.N.J. / T.M.A.