The prospect of a renewed conflict in Gaza appears unlikely in the immediate future, according to Armin Laschet, Chairman of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Speaking to Politico, Laschet expressed confidence in the current ceasefire’s durability, while acknowledging that a lasting peace remains “a long, long way off”. Monday, marked by the expected release of the remaining Israeli hostages, he characterized as a significant day for both Israel and Germany.
Laschet’s assessment, however, was accompanied by pointed criticism directed at several international figures. He sharply rebuked French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for their recent recognition of Palestinian statehood, dismissing it as a “harmful” and “shortsighted” move driven primarily by domestic political considerations. He argued that the timing of their actions undercut the ongoing diplomatic process and were premature.
He attributed previous progress towards a resolution solely to the efforts of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his negotiating team, Jared Kushner and Avi Berkowitz, effectively excluding the contributions of other international actors.
Furthermore, Laschet voiced concerns about the European Commission’s handling of the situation, specifically targeting President Ursula von der Leyen. He suggested that Germany could potentially exert pressure on the Commission to adopt a more “realistic” approach, criticizing von der Leyen’s statements and actions during the recent weeks as detrimental to the ongoing peace process. His statements implicitly question the EU’s strategic engagement and raise questions about the bloc’s influence in the region.
