Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar's at Press Conference with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul: "Israel fully endorses the Trump Administration's plan, presented on Friday by Ambassador Huckabee."
Full Remarks:
"It's an honor to host Germany's new Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, on his first international visit outside of Europe.
We had an opportunity to meet yesterday and again today at Yad Vashem and at Palmachim - demonstrating Israel's self-defense capabilities.
I believe the fact that you coming here today is an expression of the strategic relations between Israel and Germany. It is important to us because Germany is a leading country in Europe and on the international stage.
We congratulate Chancellor Friedrich Merz for forming a new government. We look forward to working with you.
We see Chancellor Merz, and you, Minister, as true friends of Israel.
Israel and Germany have special relations. It shows that with leadership and determination we can work for a better future - not forgetting the horrors of the past.
As we stand here, we mark 60 years of diplomatic relations. Germany is Israel's partner and our biggest trade partner in Europe.
This visit marks the importance of deepening and strengthening our relations with Germany and its new government.
I was invited by my counterpart and will have the honor of visiting Germany very soon, hopefully in the beginning of June.
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Only Hamas is responsible for the* war and for the continuation of the war.
The Hamas terror state must not be allowed to exist.
Otherwise, Hamas will continue to be a nightmare - for Israel's security and the stability of the region as a whole.
Hamas must be defeated.
During the war, Israel allowed humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, and facilitated it.
But Hamas stole that aid from the people and earned its money from it.
It used it to feed its war machine.
It used it to retain its strong position - at the expense of the civilian population.
If the aid continues to go to Hamas and not to the people of Gaza - *the war will continue forever.*
Therefore we will stop making these efforts in a manner that Hamas could use because it undermines Israel's objectives in this just war.
*Therefore, Israel fully endorses the Trump Administration's plan, presented on Friday by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mr. Mike Huckabee.*
Humanitarian aid will be facilitated by a private fund - based on the principles laid out by the U.S. administration.
It will enable aid to go directly to the people. Hamas must not be allowed to get their hands on it.
IDF soldiers will not allocate aid - they will secure the perimeter.
This plan allows for aid to flow based on international humanitarian law and its principles, which we are committed to.
And we would like to cooperate with as many countries and NGOs as possible on the matter.
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There have been talks about an initiative to unilaterally recognize a "Palestinian State".
Such initiatives are not constructive, but counterproductive. They will only serve as a prize for Hamas' terror.
Any attempt to do so unilaterally, will only harm future prospects for a bilateral process – and will push us for unilateral actions in response.
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Iran is the most dangerous state in the world.
Its extremist regime spreads terrorism through its proxies: Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
The most dangerous regime must not be allowed to obtain the world's most dangerous weapon. Its uranium enrichment facilities *must be dismantled*.
Iran must be prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons."