In a recent development, the Green Party’s chair, Franziska Brantner, has called for concrete actions from the German government in response to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s criticism of Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip.
Brantner emphasized the need for the government to demonstrate its concern for international law through tangible measures. “The Union must now prove its concern for international law with deeds” she told the Spiegel. The Green Party leader also urged a halt on the export of German weapons to the region, stating, “German weapons should not be used in a way that is in violation of international law in Gaza and therefore, an export stop is necessary.”
Furthermore, Brantner demanded a more decisive approach to the Israeli settlement policy and the violence of settlers, which she considers significant obstacles to a peace and reconciliation process. She proposed that individuals who directly commit or order violent crimes against the Palestinian population, including Israeli ministers such as Bezalel Smotrich or Itamar Ben-Gvir, face stronger sanctions.
In order for a two-state solution to have a chance, Brantner said, those in the Israeli government who promote and implement a policy of annexation and expulsion in Gaza and the West Bank must face consequences. “Those who in the Israeli government not only propagate but also carry out a policy of annexation and expulsion in Gaza and the West Bank must face consequences” she told the Spiegel.