During his visit to Berlin, Israel’s head of government promises active help against the gas bottleneck in the EU. Ten percent of the Russian failures could be absorbed, possibly as early as next year, says Lapid – and praises the chancellor for his clear line on the Holocaust.
According to Prime Minister Jair Lapid, Israel wants to help alleviate the energy crisis in Europe. “We may be able to increase gas exports to Europe, hopefully that will be possible next year,” said Lapid at a joint press conference with Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.
In June in Cairo, Israel and Egypt signed a declaration of intent on the delivery of liquefied gas to Europe in the presence of EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. According to this, Israel is to deliver gas to neighboring Egypt, which is to be liquefied there and exported to Europe in tankers. Lapid spoke of “part of the effort to replace Russian gas supplies to Europe.” Israel can currently replace about ten percent of Russian gas. In addition, Israel has the advantage of many start-ups in the field of renewable energy, the prime minister said.
Lapid also praised Scholz’s behavior following statements by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the Holocaust. It was obvious that Scholz had been surprised by the statements, Lapid said after meeting Scholz. “I thanked the chancellor for reacting to what Abbas said.” Lapid added: “We appreciate that he said that so clearly.”
At a joint press conference with Scholz last month, Abbas accused Israel of multiple “Holocausts” against the Palestinians, triggering outrage. He had said, “Israel has committed 50 massacres in 50 Palestinian locations from 1947 to the present day. 50 massacres, 50 holocausts.” The Chancellor did not reply to this at the press conference and only later distanced himself clearly. This was criticized by many as too late.
Scholz said of the scandal: “It is very clear that we are asking the Palestinian side to clear the way for democratic development and good development that opens up a two-state solution in the first place.” It is therefore crucial that such statements are no longer made. We will continue to insist on that. Any relativization of the Holocaust is unacceptable and will not be accepted. “It is also a crime against the victims of the Shoah, who suffered so much.”
“What President Abbas said was disgusting, was disrespectful and terrible, just terrible,” Lapid said. “The Holocaust cannot be compared to anything.” He is concerned that this idiom is not only found in Abbas’ statements in Germany, but also in Palestinian school books. “This horrible hate-mongering is taught to children,” Lapid said. “This has to concern the civilized world.”
