It is important to protect every civilian in Gaza and a balance must be struck between action and reaction.

We admire the pace and path of reform pursued by Mohamed Mustafa’s government and offer it full support.

- We provide financial support to the Palestinian government through the “joint package” from the European Union.

It is necessary for the Palestinian Authority to play its role in managing the sector and for all of Palestine to be under the administration of any government that is formed.

We look forward to opening a political horizon with the support of regional and Arab powers and the European Union in cooperation with the United States.

- Germany adheres to and supports the two-state solution, despite the difficulty of imagining it at the present time.

- Strongly committed to the principle of a united Palestine and for the Authority to be representative of all Palestinians and to extend its control over all Palestinian territories.

- We urge the Israelis to abide by international law and international humanitarian law.. Human rights are indivisible and we see that Palestinian human rights are being violated.

- I express my great respect for the many advantages enjoyed by the Palestinians, from their educational level to their physical and psychological endurance. This is the steadfastness that I consider an example to be emulated.

German policy has a sense of historical responsibility towards Israel.

In a special interview with Al-Quds, the head of the German mission in Palestine, Oliver Owcza, spoke about Germany’s policies in supporting Israel, justifying this with the historical responsibility that Germany feels, and explaining that the events of October 7 strengthened this support, which is backed by German political consensus.

Owcza expressed the German government's concern about the repercussions and risks of the Israeli Knesset's approval of a law banning the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Israel, calling on the Israeli government to ensure that UNRWA is able to continue providing life-saving humanitarian aid and is able to deliver education and health care services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The German envoy stressed that freedom of expression is protected in Germany, but there are restrictions related to combating anti-Semitism, noting that most demonstrations in Germany have not been banned, and that legal options are open to object to any ban.

Owcza referred to Germany’s support for the Palestinian Authority, saying: “We appreciate the reform efforts led by the government of Mohammad Mustafa, and we affirm Germany’s support for the principle of a two-state solution, provided that the Palestinians commit to renouncing violence.” He also explained that Germany is committed to providing security assistance to Israel, but expects respect for human rights from all parties. He concluded by emphasizing his respect for the steadfastness of the Palestinians and their pride in higher education, stressing the importance of continuing the dialogue to achieve a balance in rights. The following is the text of the interview:

Q- How does Germany view the Knesset’s decision to ban UNRWA’s work in Israel and its repercussions?

We are deeply concerned by the Knesset’s decision to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). UNRWA provides indispensable humanitarian assistance and essential supply services to refugees in Gaza, East Jerusalem, the West Bank and throughout the region. Without UNRWA, not only vital humanitarian assistance is at risk. The health care of tens of thousands of people and the education of some 50,000 children in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are also at risk due to the ban on UNRWA, while hundreds of thousands of children in Gaza will lose their hopes and aspirations for continuing their education. The German government therefore believes that the Israeli government must now ensure that UNRWA is able to continue providing life-saving humanitarian assistance and is able to deliver education and health care services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Q- How does Germany justify its continued bias towards the Israeli position, despite Israel’s violation of international and humanitarian conventions? Do you believe that historical reasons alone explain this position?

First of all, I do not want to adopt the assessment contained in the question that you asked, but at the same time I would like to say: Yes, in German politics there is a feeling of special historical responsibility towards Israel, and this historical responsibility is reinforced in the political corridors in Germany, especially after the events of October 7, which are considered to be unparalleled events. This also applies to the German parliament, where there is a consensus in parliament and with one voice from the various parliamentary parties in support of Israel.

This decision in the German parliament casts a shadow over the political work of the German government, which nevertheless seeks to have a balanced policy towards the region, including delivering humanitarian aid, calling for a ceasefire, and opening a political horizon.

Q- Given the liberal values that Germany advocates, why do you impose strict policies against the Palestinian community regarding freedom of expression and organization? And how do you balance these policies with human rights?

I understand this question and its sources. Nevertheless, I would like to emphasize that freedom of opinion in Germany is now, as it was in the past, the highest good, and freedom of opinion is also protected by German law. At the same time, there are limits to this, and we consider that the limits are breached or crossed if other freedoms are infringed upon, which are also protected, including in matters of anti-Semitic acts and actions.

To be more precise, I would say that between October 2023 and April 2024, there were more than 2,000 demonstrations in Germany, half of which were pro-Israel and the other half were pro-Palestinian. Of those more than 2,000 demonstrations, only about 100 were banned, meaning only 5% of all demonstrations were attended. Even if there is a ban, prohibition or non-permission to hold a demonstration, recourse to the courts and legal objection is open to everyone, and it is also being used, and has been used.

Q- In recent statements, the German Foreign Minister justified the targeting of civilians in Gaza by saying that they are being used as human shields. How do you justify supporting this Israeli narrative that contradicts international law?

First, the excerpts or sentences circulated from the minister’s speech were parts taken from a long and detailed speech, and there was no presentation or discussion of everything that was included in the speech. The central sentence around which the controversy revolves, which was mentioned in a way that differs from what you presented in the question, was intended to remind us that the exploitation of civilian facilities for military purposes is not in accordance with international law.

At the same time, I understand the emotional outcry when this sentence is mentioned, along with the images coming from Gaza, and we know what they carry, perhaps it would be useful, or of great importance, to add that this matter must be verified in each case individually, and there must be a balance between action and reaction, and it is also of great importance to protect everything that is civilian.

Q- Germany has provided significant financial and logistical support to the Palestinian National Authority. What is Germany’s position on the Authority now, and does it see it as the appropriate body to govern the Gaza Strip? What criticisms does Germany face of the Palestinian Authority’s work and management style?

We are fundamentally and initially impressed by the reform path pursued by the government of Prime Minister Dr. Mohamed Moustafa, and also the pace of this reform, and we provide comprehensive support to this government as part of what we call direct cooperation, and in practical terms we provide this government with advice through experts present at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), or through the German Development Bank KFW, and we also provide it with financial support through the joint fund or what is called the “joint package” provided by the European Union, and we also provide it with political support by raising various political issues before our international partners.

But it is of utmost importance that these reforms undertaken by the government receive comprehensive support from the entire Palestinian leadership, with all its components, especially if these steps and reforms aim to enhance political legitimacy and combat corruption.

We believe, want, and consider it necessary for this Palestinian Authority to take its role in administering the Gaza Strip, so that it is a government responsible for all of Palestine, regardless of the form of the government. At the same time, it is of utmost importance that any government formed adhere to Israel’s right to exist and to renounce violence.

Q- There are those who believe that Germany cannot bypass American policy in dealing with the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and that its role is limited to funding rather than active participation in the settlement. What is your comment on this opinion?

In general, I think that there is a constructive role for the United States. They are trying, for example, in the short term, to deliver and facilitate humanitarian aid and its entry into Gaza, and to enhance that, and they have achieved success in this matter.

It is very important, as I mentioned, to create a political horizon, and I believe that creating a political horizon must be a joint effort. My government supports that there be some coordination between the regional powers in the region, and the Arab powers in the region in cooperation with the United States, and with the support of the European countries in order to work on creating this political horizon and moving it forward.

Q- What is the future of Palestinian-German relations? Are there new opportunities for cooperation in light of recent developments, especially after the ongoing war waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023 until today?

This is a very important question, and I am aware of the challenges, and I am aware that at the present time, there are voices on both the Palestinian and German sides that are critical of the other’s policy, in a way that calls for questioning and thinking about the position of each of them.

However, I believe that there is still a mutual, principled appreciation from both sides for each other, and there are common interests, and that the basis for these common matters still exists. For example, there are still opportunities to study in Germany, and Germany still adheres in principle to the perspective of the two-state solution, and these are matters that we must not ignore.

I also believe that it is very important at the present time to continue the channels of communication and dialogue, and to keep the joint cooperation open, whether in terms of development cooperation, cultural exchange, or also in terms of discussing political affairs, and we want to hold political consultations in the near future in order to enhance trust.

Q- Does Germany actually support the establishment of an independent Palestinian state that includes the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem? Do you have a vision for how to achieve a capable and geographically contiguous Palestinian state?

Yes, even when one considers that this goal has become unattainable or even unachievable, we still support the two-state solution, and we still stand with this position, even though it is difficult to imagine at the present time, we do so, and we did so at a time when others moved away from this principle, or this position, and we will continue to support the two-state solution through our diplomatic presence here in the German representation in the city of Ramallah.

We are strongly committed to the principle of One Palestine, and we work towards that by supporting the Palestinian Authority, which should be representative of all Palestinian geography and all Palestinians, and we implement that by supporting projects that are not limited to one place, but rather in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza as well.

Q-In light of Germany's supply of advanced weapons to Israel, including submarines, how do you reconcile your military support for Israel with your commitments to human rights? Isn't this support for the occupation?

This is an important question, and it requires difficult and complex approaches and trade-offs. As I mentioned, there is a special responsibility on the part of Germany to protect Israel, and we believe that in order for events like those that occurred on October 7 not to be repeated in the future, there is a German commitment to supply Israel with weapons.

At the same time, we expect Israel to remain committed to international law, international humanitarian law and human rights, which is a high value, and we do this by constantly talking to the Israelis and urging them to do so, by raising these issues with them, and reminding them that in the long run there will be no guarantee of Israel's security unless there is also a guarantee of Palestinian security, and that will only be achieved through a Palestinian state.

Q- Given Germany's continued support for Israel, how does Germany view the position of the Palestinians as holders of legitimate rights? Do you believe there is a balance in your policies towards both sides?

Human rights are indivisible, and of course this also applies to the Palestinians. At the same time, we see that Palestinian human rights are being violated, and this also applies to both the Palestinian and Israeli sides. Hence, we see that it is necessary to maintain a permanent dialogue and discussion aimed at protecting human rights by all parties.

The German envoy to Palestine refused to answer the question: How does Germany justify its position in defending Israel before the International Court of Justice, even though the German experience with destruction and displacement makes the Palestinians expect a more sympathetic position towards their cause?

Ovcha concluded his speech by saying: “I express my great respect for the many advantages that the Palestinians enjoy, especially in higher education, and their ability to endure physically and psychologically, for much of what they have been through, and if my expression in the Arabic language is correct, it is what is called steadfastness, which I have the utmost respect for, and which I consider an example that should be emulated.”