The Israeli president denounces Pedro Sánchez's "hypocrisy" and "double standards" before his German counterpart

The Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, has valued the visit of the German president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who arrived this Sunday in Jerusalem, and has contrasted his support with the “hypocrisy” and “double standards” of other European leaders, in evening to the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, and the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez.

Herzog has thus thanked Steinmeier for the “clear stance” of the German Government on Israel's right to defend itself in contrast to other leaders of EU countries.

Israel summoned the ambassadors of Spain and Belgium on Friday in response to the “false” statements made in recent hours by Sánchez and De Croo, as they consider it to be “support for terrorism” by Hamas.. Sánchez slipped that he could recognize the state of Palestine unilaterally if there is no joint EU decision in that regard.

Herzog received Steinmeier this Sunday in Jerusalem, with whom he shares a personal friendship. “Your visit is an expression of the firm alliance between our countries,” he declared before describing the German leader as a “true friend.”

Germany reiterates its unwavering support

The German president, for his part, has reiterated his country's unwavering support for Israel at the beginning of his visit. Steinmeier will spend two days in Israel and then visit Qatar and Oman.

“We are in solidarity with Israel. It's not just that Israel is a victim of terrorism. Our solidarity is also with Israel that defends itself, that fights against an existential threat,” Steinmeier declared at a joint press conference from Jerusalem with his counterpart, Isaac Herzog.

The German president has highlighted the need to protect civilians in the Gaza Strip and ensure that their basic needs are covered.. “It is mandatory under International Humanitarian Law,” he pointed out, and that is why he has defended the current truce agreement.

“Israel has the right to defend itself and guarantee its existence,” he noted in reference to the October 7 attacks led by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), and the “unprecedented deep wounds” they have left.. “The terrorist organization Hamas can never achieve its stated objective, which is the annihilation of Israel,” he stated.