A senior official from the Christian Social Union (CSU), Martin Huber, has ruled out the possibility of the German federal government imposing sanctions against Israel in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Speaking to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Huber stated that while criticism of the Israeli government is acceptable, sanctions would be inappropriate between allies.
Huber addressed the recent travel bans implemented by the Netherlands and other nations against Israeli ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, who have been accused of supporting ethnic cleansing in Gaza. He expressed skepticism regarding the utility of such measures, emphasizing that imposing travel restrictions against a democratically elected Israeli government would significantly damage the German-Israeli relationship. He affirmed that the German government remains committed to alleviating the suffering in Gaza.
Huber identified Hamas as the key to resolving the conflict. He insisted that the organization must release the Israeli hostages taken in October 2023, disarm and unconditionally recognize Israel’s right to exist. He underscored that lasting peace cannot be achieved as long as forces in the Middle East seek to destroy Israel and Jewish life. Huber concluded by reaffirming Germany’s solidarity with Israel.