PM distances himself from comments by Development Aid Minister’s comment on Germany’s regarding Israeli-Hamas conflict

Ms Gennez comment were published on Wednesday. She warned of ethnic cleansing in Gaza and attacked Germany’s stance with regard to the conflict.

Ms Gennez told Knack that Germany “Is doing the Israeli government’s bidding” and that the Israeli government is persuing “shamelessly colonialist policies”. She also asked herself whether Germany “will be on the wrong side of history for a second time”. 

The German Ambassador Martin Kotthaus was shocked by Ms Gennez’s comparison between Berlin’s stance on the current conflict and German atrocities during World War II. He said that such comments are inappropriate.

Mr Kotthaus added that Germany has a clear stance on the conflict. "Israel has a right to defend itself against terror from Hamas. At the same time Israel should do all it can to protect civilians”. 

In an interview with VRT Radio 1’s morning news and current affairs programme ‘De ochtend’, the Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said that he wishes to distance himself from Ms Gennez’s comments. "I don’t think that we should criticise other European countries”.

The Federal PM added that it is better to highlight our own position on the conflict and that Belgium was one of the first countries to stress that civilians should be spared.

"As Chair of the European Council Belgium can take the lead among European countries to reach a united stance. This is the best way to be able to exert influence”.

In a response Ms Gennez said that she has had “a positive conversation with the German ambassador”.