The German government on Wednesday said it will not support a proposal from several cities to take in injured and traumatized children from the Gaza Strip, despite growing calls for humanitarian aid amid Israel's genocidal attacks on the blockaded enclave.
"This idea is nice for the election campaign or to score points, but it doesn't help the people themselves. It is much more important and helpful to motivate countries in the region to accept them," said Deputy Foreign Minister Serap Güler, from the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU), in an interview with the Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger newspaper.
Germany is already active in this area and is also offering further support. "The quickest and best way to help these people is directly in the region, not by exploiting them for the election campaign and forcing them to endure this long journey," added Güler.
At least five cities, including Hanover, Dusseldorf, Bonn, Leipzig, and Kiel, have announced plans to accept children from the Gaza Strip and Israel who are particularly vulnerable or traumatized. Political support from the government would be required for entry procedures, selection, and medical coordination.
The Chancellery and Interior Ministry expressed reservations on Monday about this move, citing doubts about its feasibility.
