U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken discussed U.S. support for Israel during a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Eli Cohen.
As reported by DER SPIEGEL, Blinken reaffirmed the U.S. efforts to ensure the immediate release of hostages. The U.S. Department of State announced that Blinken also spoke with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, and both condemned the attacks by Hamas.
Strack-Zimmermann: Iran is the Largest Supporter of Hamas Terrorism
In Germany, too, there are increasingly critical voices regarding the Hamas attack. On Thursday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to issue a statement on the attacks, and there is a unanimous voice in government circles that the country has every right to defend itself against the Hamas attack. The leaders of the CDU, CSU, SPD, FDP, and the Greens reiterated in their joint statement on Sunday that Israel’s security is part of the German raison d’être. “We will also stand by with advice and action if Israel needs us,” they were quoted by Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland. Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, the chairwoman of the Defense Committee, advocated for more sanctions against Iran: “The biggest supporter of Hamas terrorism is Iran. Europe must stand together for Israel and initiate all possible steps at the international level to prevent the financing of Hamas by Iran and countries like Qatar as well as private donors,” said Strack-Zimmermann.
Image: U.S. Secretary of Defense, 221206-D-TT977-0131 (52547991638), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (image resized).