At a press conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the Palestinian Authority needs its tax and customs revenues, and that the settlement project threatens peace. He also emphasized that Iran must ensure free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and that Hezbollah is the cause of all problems in Lebanon.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul continued his diplomatic visit to Israel on Tuesday, holding a joint press conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. Wadephul stated that the Palestinian Authority relies on its tax and customs revenues, which are essential for its functioning, and that the settlement project in the West Bank threatens the prospects for peace. He also reiterated his stance on regional security, calling on Iran to ensure free passage through the Strait of Hormuz—a key shipping lane—and reaffirming that Hezbollah is the root cause of Lebanon's problems.
The remarks come on the heels of earlier statements by Wadephul during his visit. As The Zioneer reported earlier today, he explicitly identified Hezbollah as the source of Lebanon's troubles and, in a separate conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stressed the need to address Iran's ballistic missile program and support for terrorism in negotiations. The German foreign minister has also expressed support for the full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire deal and for the disarmament of Hamas.
Wadephul's comments on the Palestinian Authority's finances and the settlements mark a notable diplomatic signal, as Germany has traditionally been a key European partner in the peace process. The press conference underscores the ongoing dialogue between Israel and Germany on regional issues, including the Iranian threat and the situation in Lebanon.
No further details were provided on the outcome of the meeting or follow-up actions.
2 developments
- DevelopingGermany's Foreign Minister: Hezbollah Is the Source of Problems in Lebanon
- StrongIranian state media calls on foreign ministry to close Strait of Hormuz over Israel's Lebanon presence
- StrongForeign Minister Sa'ar: Iran, not Israel, violates Lebanese sovereignty
- DevelopingFM Sa'ar: Israel aims for peace with Lebanon, demands end to Hezbollah's Iranian occupation
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
- Internal intake