“If we fail to defeat Hamas in Israel, it will come to Europe,” Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) said on Wednesday. He is currently in Tel Aviv, where he met, among others, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Nehammer also held talks with President Yitzhak Herzog and opposition leader Yair Lapid. Austria stands in solidarity with Israel, the Chancellor said. The country has “the right to defend itself,” Hamas is “the problem,” “responsible for the chaos, death and barbarism.” The terrorist organization can never be a partner. According to his own statement, Nehammer also wants to represent this position at EU level.
Security authorities are cooperating
According to him, Israel receives Austria’s support in cooperation and exchanges between security authorities. Egypt, in turn, must keep its border with the Gaza Strip open for humanitarian aid. The country needs support. “It is incredibly depressing when you see how much suffering Israel has just endured and continues to suffer,” Nehammer said after meeting with the father of an Austrian hostage.
The Chancellor is also said to have discussed the fate of the approximately thirty Palestinians with Austrian passports currently in the Gaza Strip. Egypt is an important partner in carrying out evacuations.
“The ceasefire only benefits Hamas”
To enable humanitarian aid, the governments of some EU countries are calling for a ceasefire. However, Nehammer is critical of this. “In this situation, a ceasefire only benefits Hamas; they want to regroup and regroup.” So when it comes to fuel aid, it must be ensured that it is not used by Hamas for weapons or the like.
The chancellor also had a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbes on Wednesday, but that was canceled. “But we persist, it is important to talk to everyone who has responsibility and can exert influence here in the region to ensure that a wildfire does not occur. That means the conversation is being moved.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
