German politician Omid Nouripour, vice president of the German Bundestag, has called for criticism of Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, stating that it is a duty of friendship to speak out against the Israeli government’s policies. In an interview with the Funke-Mediengruppe, Nouripour emphasized the importance of honesty and directness in friendships, citing the need for Germany to criticize Israel’s actions while also urging the country to address the issue of anti-Semitism.
Nouripour, a former leader of the German Green Party, was born in Tehran and moved to Frankfurt am Main as a 13-year-old asylum seeker with his family. He recounted his experiences with anti-Semitism in Iran, stating that he was taught to hate Israel in school and even chanted “Death to Israel” on the playground. However, after moving to Germany, he learned about the harmful nature of this ideology and has since dedicated himself to combating anti-Semitism.
The politician also warned against the Israeli government’s attempts to militarily overthrow the Iranian regime, stating that such an action could lead to chaos and the destabilization of the region. Nouripour emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, citing the importance of a two-state solution in which the Palestinian state accepts Israel’s security concerns.
In addition, Nouripour criticized the efforts of US President Donald Trump to negotiate a new nuclear deal with Iran, labeling the attempts as counterproductive. He argued that the Iranian system is based on fear and violence and that any deal made by Trump would likely strengthen the regime in its fundamental principles.