German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will make a surprise visit to Israel, which is at war with Palestinian militant Hamas.
Prime Minister Scholz, who is visiting Albania, announced at a press conference on the 16th (local time) that he is visiting Israel. German media also reported that Prime Minister Scholz will go to Israel on the 17th.
“Mission to support Israel in accordance with Holocaust responsibility
It will be the first time for the G7 leaders to visit Israel since the two sides started armed conflict following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel.
Scholz has expressed firm support for Israel. In a speech to the federal parliament on the 12th, he said, “Germany’s mission is to support Israel in accordance with the responsibility of the Holocaust committed against Jews in the past.”
It also confirmed its position to temporarily suspend and review development and cooperation aid to Palestine. Germany has provided development and relief funds worth 340 million euros (about 485.5 billion won) annually to Palestine.
However, Scholz said, “The standard we support is whether the cooperation plan helps Israel,” adding, “We will not provide cooperation funds until the review is completed.”
Earlier last week, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited Israel first to express her support.
Biden should go to Israel, too… “Cancel the unusual day’s schedule”
Meanwhile, the possibility of U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel is also growing. Major Israeli media and U.S. online media Axios reported that President Biden will visit Israel on the 18th at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, the White House drew a line, saying that President Biden is considering a visit to Israel, but nothing has been confirmed.
In the meantime, President Biden abruptly canceled his scheduled visit to Colorado hours before departure, drawing more attention to the possibility of his visit.
The U.S. CNN reported, “The president’s schedule is carefully coordinated in advance due to security issues, and he rarely cancels it on the same day,” adding, “In particular, Colorado has been attracting attention (President Biden’s visit) in that it is a district of Lauren Boebert of the Republican Party.”
“President Biden’s visit will focus on expressing support to Israel and sending a message to Iran and Lebanon’s militant group Hezbollah not to intervene in the war,” Axios predicted.
However, White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said, “President Biden has decided to stay at the White House to focus on the Israel-Hamas issue,” adding, “He will preside over the security meeting.”
He declined to say whether he would visit Israel, saying, “It is true that I have been invited by Prime Minister Netanyahu, but there is no announcement at this time.”
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
