Top German bishop slams Israel’s genocidal military campaign in Gaza

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) -The Chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Georg Baetzing, on Monday criticized Israel’s genocidal military campaign in the Gaza Strip. ​​​​​​​

"What is happening here in the Gaza Strip right now, and has been happening for so long, is inhumane," Baetzing said at the start of the four-day fall plenary assembly of the bishops in the central German city of Fulda.

Tens of thousands of innocent people have lost their lives. "Many are starving. Now hundreds of thousands are fleeing and don't know where to go," he added.

Baetzing heads the German Bishops' Conference (DBK), the representative body of the Catholic bishops in the country, which coordinates church work and promotes common pastoral tasks.

Meanwhile, Baetzing also called for a two-state solution, saying it is the only alternative. ​​​​​​​

Germany said earlier in the day that it remains committed to its “goal” of supporting the creation of an independent Palestinian state, but refused to recognize statehood—for now.

"A Palestinian state is our goal. We support the two-state solution. There is no other way. This, however, must be achieved through negotiations. No one should pursue a policy of forcing their way through a wall at this point,” Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told the press in Berlin ahead of his visit to New York, where he will attend the 80th UN General Assembly meeting.

“The path of understanding, reconciliation, and negotiations remains the difficult, arduous middle path. But the Federal Republic of Germany stands for this. However remote it may be at this moment, a negotiated two-state solution is the path that can enable Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace, security, and dignity,” he added.