Baerbock calls for 'lasting peace' in the Middle East

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that every avenue must be explored for a two-state solution in the region to ensure lasting peace in the Middle East.

In a written statement issued ahead of her Middle East visit, which includes Israel and Palestine, Minister Baerbock called for an end to the humanitarian tragedy and for the region to break free from its eternal cycle of violence.

Pointing out that the situation in the Middle East is extremely dangerous, Baerbock said, "Terror must end. The situation people are in must end. The region must break out of the eternal cycle of violence. It is time to lay the final foundations for sustainable peace and security."

CALL FOR HUMANITARIAN AID

Emphasizing that too many people have died in the conflicts, Baerbock called on the parties to lay down their arms.

Explaining that people in Gaza and the West Bank need security, dignity, and the chance for self-determination, Baerbock stated, "Much more humanitarian aid is urgently needed in Gaza to counter severe hunger, spreading epidemics, and the cold of winter. Conversely, Israel, which has the right and duty to defend itself against terror, must also protect civilians much better in its military operations."

Baerbock noted that Israelis and Palestinians could live together in peace if they viewed the security of the other as their own, adding, "This will only be possible if both sides acknowledge the suffering of the other. Our task is to explore every avenue for a two-state solution."