A proposal by German cities to accept traumatized children from Israel and the Gaza Strip is generating internal disagreement within the current German coalition government.
The initiative surfaced after the Mayor of Hanover, Belit Onay (of the Green Party), formally requested political backing from the federal government to streamline entry procedures, selection processes and coordinate necessary medical care. The CDU/CSU parliamentary group has expressed reservations regarding the proposal. “If a stay for medical treatment in Germany is necessary, there are already existing avenues for acceptance under current law” stated CDU parliamentary group vice Günter Krings in comments to “Welt”. Regarding the situation in Gaza, Krings added that Germany should prioritize supporting Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East to receive the children, rather than relocating them to Europe.
The SPD, the coalition’s partner, has signalled a more supportive stance. SPD foreign policy spokesperson Adis Ahmetovic stated that his party welcomed cities joining the initiative. He emphasized the need for the Foreign Office – responsible for medical evacuations – to initiate the necessary steps and for the Interior Ministry to organize a central distribution system.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has strongly rejected the call for federal support originating from Hanover. “Germany is full” asserted AfD parliamentary group deputy Markus Frohnmaier. He argued that the country is already at its limit – in terms of personnel, finances and social capacity – and called for consistent deportations instead of additional acceptance programs. Frohnmaier stressed that responsibility for the situation lies within the region, calling on Arabic and Islamic states to fulfill their humanitarian responsibilities, as well as urging Israel to contribute.
The Green Party’s interior policy spokesperson, Marcel Emmerich, however, endorsed the appeal for federal assistance, noting that cities were acting in areas where immediate help was urgently needed. He advocated for the federal government to take further steps and to engage further in a European collaborative effort, emphasizing the importance of supporting the cities and ensuring the children’s successful integration in Germany.
The Left party is pushing for an even more extensive response. Left party parliamentary group deputy Clara Bünger acknowledged the positive aspect of individual cities offering refuge, stating that “every life saved counts”. However, she raised concerns about the families left behind. “What about their parents and siblings?” Bünger questioned. She argued for a more comprehensive approach, including the creation of legal frameworks to facilitate the children’s integration in the cities and a call for an end to the ongoing violence, specifically urging Israel to halt its operations.