Iran and Gaza: German and UK foreign ministers arrive in Israel for ‘solidarity and political talks’

FM Katz calls leaders to 'impose sanctions on the Iranian missile program'

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German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron kicked off their visits to Israel on Wednesday morning by meeting with President Isaac Herzog.

“Thank you for both the UK and Germany’s strong stand alongside Israel in the face of the reprehensible attack by Iran,” Herzog told them.

“The whole world must work decisively and defiantly against the threat posed by the Iranian regime which is seeking to undermine the stability of the whole region,” he added.

"It's clear that Israel has decided to respond to Iran's attack. We are hoping that Israel will act in a way that will cause as little escalation as possible," said Cameron.

Both foreign leaders stated the purpose of their visit was twofold: To express solidarity after the unprecedented drone and missile attack from Iran and to talk about the war in Gaza, including the humanitarian aid situation.

However, the European leaders are also expected to add to the international pressure by urging Israel to refrain from retaliating against the Iranian strike that occurred last Sunday.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz called for the national leaders to officially recognize Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

"Now is our opportunity to change the region: Call the Revolutionary Guards by their name - a terror organization, and impose sanctions on the Iranian missile program," Katz said.

The most pressing issue right now - bringing back the hostages. Therefore ahead of her political consultations in Israel, Foreign Minister @ABaerbock met families of those still held in Gaza tonight. For them every day counts - they are not forgotten - #BringThemHome. pic.twitter.com/U4xctzMkz4
— Steffen Seibert (@GerAmbTLV) April 16, 2024

Over the past few days, Baerbock “has been engaged in constant diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from escalating. Germany is liaising closely with the Israeli Government and with our partners in the EU, G7 and NATO as well as in the region,” Germany’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “The talks in Israel will therefore focus in particular on preventing the spiral of violence from escalating unabated,” the statement added.

Baerbock and Cameron leaders are expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Katz, and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz.

Cameron has come under internal pressure from conservative Members of Parliament recently over what some described as a “problematic tone” in his statements regarding Israel, according to Politico.

In a recent interview with Sky News, he said, regarding Iran’s attack that “countries have a right to respond when they feel they’ve suffered an aggression,” while quickly adding a condemnation of Iran’s response.

Cameron has also repeatedly criticized Israel for the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and will likely bring up the issue again during his visit on Wednesday, the Times of Israel reported.

Baerbock, who visited with hostage families, also vowed to “once again urge… dialogue partners to put in place a massive increase in aid supplies. Moreover, Hamas is still holding Israeli women, men, and children hostage in its tunnels… This will also be on the agenda at the talks.”

In his statement, Herzog also emphasized the hostage issue. “The immediate return home of all the hostages held in captivity by Hamas in Gaza remains for us - and the international community - a top priority, while we continue to advance and dramatically upgrade humanitarian aid to the civilian population.”