EU and West Bank annexation: German Heiko Maas expected this Wednesday in Jerusalem

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at a press conference in Berlin, June 5, 2020. Michael Kappeler / Pool via REUTERS

Text by: Pascal Thibaut Follow

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas is expected to arrive in Jerusalem on Wednesday where he will be received by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A visit which comes three weeks before the start of the German presidency of the European Union and which could coincide with the implementation by Israel of its controversial project to annex part of the West Bank.

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From our correspondent in Berlin,

For his first visit outside Europe after weeks of video conferences, Heiko Maas did not choose the simplest destination. On the one hand, Germany is one, 75 years after the capitulation of the Third Reich, of Israel's surest allies. On the other hand, Berlin defends international law and in this case the right to a state for the Palestinian people.

This particular position gives Germany the chance to mediate between the most critical voices of Israel and those who support the Netanyahu government more than ever, namely, the United States.

The role of Berlin is further complicated because Germany will take over the presidency of the European Union on July 1 and will have to work for six months on a difficult compromise within the 27 if Israel implements the Trump plan and annex part of the Territories. Palestinians. It is also on July 1 that the Hebrew State could present its roadmap on the matter.

► Read also: UN: Europeans warn Israel about its plans for annexation

Berlin issued a joint statement in May with the Palestinian leadership, highlighting German reservations over such an annexation. If Israel does not think that Germany can adopt sanctions against him, the visit of Heiko Maas this Wednesday will aim to make the Netanyahu government understand that Berlin, wavering between its loyalty to Israel and the respect of international law, could on arrival choose the second option.

The head of the German diplomacy will go in stride to Amman in Jordan. It is from there that he should have a videoconference with his Palestinian counterpart.

► Read also: West Bank: warnings multiply against the plan to annex Israel

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  • Israel
  • Germany
  • Benyamin netanyahu
  • Diplomacy
  • Palestinian territories
  • European Union

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