“Nothing is worse in foreign policy than unfulfilled promises,” says Green Party leader Franziska Brantner regarding Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Ukraine policy. She also commented on Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Franziska Brantner, co-chair of the Green Party, has accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) of failing to implement promised sanctions against Russia . “Nothing is worse in foreign and security policy than unfulfilled promises or empty threats,” Brantner stated in an interview with Spiegel. “They only lead to the other side employing even more violence . Merz is obliged to deliver here.”
Brantner further criticized Merz for distancing himself from his previous demands during the opposition regarding the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine . “Merz had been calling for weeks and months for this weapon to be handed over to Ukraine. Now he’s strangely hesitant on this issue,” Brantner remarked. “This seems to be a classic Merz situation: full promises and then just hot air.” She warned that this could lead to disappointment among the citizens domestically and is extremely dangerous in the context of foreign and security policy.
Brantner Calls for Sanctions Against Israeli Ministers
In addition, Brantner demanded consequences stemming from Merz’s criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. “The Union must now prove through actions that their concern for international law carries consequences,” she insisted. There should be “no German weapons deployed in Gaza in violation of international law.” “Thus, we need an export ban for this,” she emphasized.
Brantner also called for a more decisive approach against settlement policies and settler violence, viewing these as significant obstacles in achieving a peace and reconciliation process. She proposed stronger sanctions against individuals who either perpetrate or order violent crimes against the Palestinian population in the West Bank .
This could also apply to ultra-right ministers of finance and internal security, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir. “For a two-state solution to ever have a chance, those in the Israeli government who propagate and execute a policy of annexation and expulsion in Gaza and the West Bank must face consequences,” stated Brantner.
Earlier this week, Merz had escalated his tone towards Israel. He argued that the actions of the Israeli army can no longer be justified as a fight against Hamas terrorism. Israel had intensified its military offensive in Gaza this month, claiming the objective is the annihilation of Hamas, which currently controls the coastal territory.
In Israel, Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Thursday the establishment of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank , which are illegal under international law. Despite international protests, Israel has built dozens of settlements in the region over the decades, an area where 500,000 Israelis live alongside three million Palestinians .
AFP/jr
In summary, the political climate in Europe regarding ongoing conflicts is increasingly fraught. The critiques from political leaders like Brantner highlight a growing concern over unfulfilled commitments and the actions of state leaders in conflicts far from their own borders. The dynamics between Israel and Palestine remain particularly sensitive, and calls for adherence to international law indicate a trend toward more accountability on the global stage. As such, leaders must navigate these waters carefully, prioritizing ethical considerations and tangible results in their foreign policy engagements.