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Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
German government denies rift over Israel's conduct in Gaza
This is an AI- generated image used for representational purposes only German Chancellery Minister Thorsten Frei on Wednesday dismissed concerns of a rift within Germany's coalition government over its position on Israel. An apparent split emerged after Germany opted not to join dozens of Western countries in signing a condemnation of the "inhumane killing" of Palestinian civilians in Gaza on Monday. What has Berlin said about the Gaza letter? Frei, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's top aide, said the coalition was united in its aims regarding Gaza, even if there were divisions over how Germany could achieve them. "There's not even a sheet of paper between the partners," Frei told German broadcaster ZDF. "Of course, you can have different views about the form and the path to a shared goal." On Tuesday, leading figures in the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), the junior coalition partner to Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU), urged the government to join a joint declaration signed by 28 states, including France, Italy and the UK, as well as the European Commission, the European Union's executive branch. It called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and condemned Israel's actions. Germany has so far declined to sign on to the declaration. However, Frei defended the government's stance, saying the declaration lacked clarity in its sequencing of events. "It must be made clear that the starting point of this war was Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023, and that Hamas continues to hold hostages," he said. He added that Germany maintains "many channels of contact" with the Israeli government. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Swelling and internal bleeding in the brain, help this baby Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Frei emphasized that "the humanitarian situation in Gaza must change," and while Israel has the right to self-defense, protecting civilians is "a legal imperative under international law." What did the SPD say about the declaration? Matthias Miersch, the SPD's parliamentary leader, praised the signatory states, including Germany's "closest partners such as France, Canada and Austria," for sending "a clear signal." The countries involved condemned what they called the "drip feeding of aid" to Palestinians in Gaza and said it was "horrifying" that more than 800 civilians had been killed while seeking food and water. "If international law is systematically violated, there must be consequences," Miersch wrote on the platform X. "Germany should join the UK's initiative and not opt out here." "Starving children, destroyed infrastructure, attacks on people seeking help: That goes against everything that international humanitarian law protects," the senior SPD politician said. Reem Alabali Radovan, Germany's international development minister and an SPD member, said Tuesday she was disappointed by the decision. "The demands in the letter from the 29 partners to the Israeli government are understandable to me. I would have wished for Germany to join the signal sent by the 29 partners," she said. SPD foreign policy spokesperson Adis Ahmetovic and rapporteur for the Middle East Rolf Mützenich, both senior lawmakers within the party, also called on Germany to join the declaration. They stressed in a joint statement that "the situation in Gaza is catastrophic and represents a humanitarian abyss." How has Merz defined his position? German officials have said their stance on Israel is shaped by a unique responsibility, the Staatsraison (reason of state), rooted in the country's Nazi-era history and the Holocaust. They argued they can accomplish more through private diplomatic channels than with public declarations. Merz has said the European Council, the heads of state or government of the European Union, had already issued a joint declaration "practically identical in content to what is expressed in the letter" now circulating. He pointed to the Council's June statement, which deplored the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but was less emotional and bluntly critical of Israel and did not condemn its planned relocation of Palestinians to a so-called "humanitarian city" unveiled earlier this month. "I was one of the first to say very clearly, even in Germany, that the situation there is no longer acceptable," Merz said, pushing back on claims of any split. On Monday, he said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, telling him "very clearly and very explicitly that we do not share the Israeli government's policy on Gaza." "The way the Israeli army is operating there is not acceptable," Merz said. Fractures within the ruling coalition, only in power since May, were already exposed over a dispute about the appointment of a Constitutional Court judge.
DW
7 days ago
- Politics
- DW
German government denies rift over Israel's conduct in Gaza – DW – 07/23/2025
The German chancellery insists that the ruling coalition is united in its stance on Israel's actions in Gaza despite differing views. A split appeared after Germany refused to add its name to a 28-country declaration. German Chancellery Minister Thorsten Frei on Wednesday dismissed concerns of a rift within Germany's coalition government over its position on Israel. A split emerged after Germany opted not to join dozens of Western countries in signing a condemnation of the "inhumane killing" of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Frei, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's top aid, said the coalition was united in its aims regarding Gaza, even if there were divisions over how Germany could achieve them. "There's not even a sheet of paper between the partners," Frei told German broadcaster ZDF. "Of course, you can have different views about the form and the path to a shared goal." On Tuesday, leading figures in the Social Democrats (SPD), the junior coalition partner to Merz's Christian Democrats (CDU), urged the government to join a joint declaration signed by 28 states, including France, Italy and the UK, as well as the European Commission, the European Union's executive branch. It called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and condemned Israel's actions. Germany has so far declined to sign on to the declaration. However, Frei defended the government's stance, saying the declaration lacked clarity in its sequencing of events. "It must be made clear that the starting point of this war was Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, and that Hamas continues to hold hostages," he said. He added that Germany maintains "many channels of contact" with the Israeli government. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Frei emphasized that "the humanitarian situation in Gaza must change," and while Israel has the right to self-defense, protecting civilians is "a legal imperative under international law." Matthias Miersch, the SPD's parliamentary leader, praised the signatory states, including Germany's "closest partners such as France, Canada and Austria," for sending "a clear signal." The countries involved condemned what they called the "drip feeding of aid" to Palestinians in Gaza and said it was "horrifying" that more than 800 civilians had been killed while seeking food and water. "If international law is systematically violated, there must be consequences," Miersch wrote on the platform X. "Germany should join the UK's initiative and not opt out here." "Starving children, destroyed infrastructure, attacks on people seeking help: That goes against everything that international humanitarian law protects," the senior SPD politician said. Reem Alabali-Radovan, Germany's international development minister and an SPD member, said Tuesday she was disappointed by the decision. "The demands in the letter from the 29 partners to the Israeli government are understandable to me. I would have wished for Germany to join the signal sent by the 29 partners," she said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video SPD foreign policy spokesperson Adis Ahmetovic and rapporteur for the Middle East Rolf Mützenich, both senior lawmakers within the party, also called on Germany to join the declaration. They stressed in a joint statement that "the situation in Gaza is catastrophic and represents a humanitarian abyss." German officials have said their stance on Israel is shaped by a unique responsibility, the Staatsraison (reason of state), rooted in the country's Nazi-era history and the Holocaust. They argued they can accomplish more through private diplomatic channels than with public declarations. Merz has said the European Council, the heads of state or government of the European Union, had already issued a joint declaration "practically identical in content to what is expressed in the letter" now circulating. He pointed to the Council's June statement, which deplored the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but was less emotional and bluntly critical of Israel and did not condemn its planned relocation of Palestinians to a so-called "humanitarian city" unveiled earlier this month. "I was one of the first to say very clearly, even in Germany, that the situation there is no longer acceptable," Merz said, pushing back on claims of any split. On Monday, he said he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, telling him "very clearly and very explicitly that we do not share the Israeli government's policy on Gaza." "The way the Israeli army is operating there is not acceptable," Merz said. Fractures within the ruling coalition, only in power since May, were already exposed over a dispute about the appointment of a Constitutional Court judge.
Canada Standard
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Canada Standard
Sounders GK Stefan Frei 'home resting' after injury scare
Field Level Media 07 Jul 2025, 19:49 GMT+10 (Photo credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images) Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei was 'back home resting' on Monday after leaving Sunday's match in Seattle in an ambulance with an injury to his head and neck. Frei, 39, collided with Columbus Crew midfielder Amar Sejdic's knee while trying to collect a free kick during second-half stoppage time in the 1-1 draw. Medical personnel rushed onto the field and placed Frei onto a stretcher before loading him into an ambulance at Lumen Field. 'I'm incredibly grateful to all the staff that looked after me and happy to be back home resting now,' Frei posted on X early Monday morning. 'What resonates is all the messages, calls and love I've received from so many of you. Thank you -- truly. It means more than I can put into words.'Instead of resuming play after Frei's injury, Crew coach Wilfried Nancy and Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer successfully encouraged officials to end the match. 'Wilfried, I appreciate what he did because the ref wasn't going to stop the game,' Schmetzer said. 'Everybody knew that the game should have been stopped. Good on him. So thank you, Wilfried.' 'I hope that everything's going to be okay with (Frei),' Nancy said. 'Our job is not easy. When you see a situation like that, again, football is not the most important. We stay positive, and hopefully everything's going to be good for him.' Frei has been minding the Sounders' net since the 2014 season. Including his time with Toronto from 2011-13, he has recorded 112 clean sheets in 371 career MLS matches. --Field Level Media
New York Post
07-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Sounders goalie Stefan Frei taken off field in ambulance in scary MLS scene
Scary scenes unfolded in an MLS match on Sunday. Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei left the field in an ambulance after taking an accidental knee to the head from a Columbus Crew player during a free kick in stoppage time of a 1-1 draw. Frei's head hit the player's knee while he was coming down from jumping to try to defend the free kick. 3 Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei kicks the ball against the Crew on July 6, 2025. Kevin Ng-Imagn Images 3 An ambulance drives on the field for injured Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei on July 6, 2025. Kevin Ng-Imagn Images The 39-year-old dropped to the turf as players motioned to the training staff to take a look at Frei. After some deliberation, Frei was loaded onto a stretcher and taken to the hospital. He was responsive as they left the field. By the time the night rolled around, Frei was able to return home and update his injury status on social media. 'incredibly grateful to all the staff that looked after me.' Frei stated 'What resonates is all the messages, calls, and love I've received from so many of you. Thank you — truly…. It means more than I can put into words.' Even after the scary injury, the refs were ready to resume the game with a corner kick for the Crew. But Crew manager Wilfried Nancy and Sounders manager Brian Schmetzer agreed to end the match. 3 Columbus Crew manager Wilfred Nancy. Getty Images 'When we see that, football is not important,' Nancy said. 'I asked what happened because I didn't see. After that, I told them that I am ready to stop the game because this is not important, that's it.' There is no return timetable for Frei. He has backstopped the Sounders to an 8-6-6 record, which is good for fifth in the Western Conference after Sunday's draw.
Toronto Sun
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei taken off field by ambulance after collision with opponent's knee
Published Jul 07, 2025 • 2 minute read FILE - Seattle Sounders' goalkeeper Stefan Frei reacts during the Club World Cup group B soccer match between Seattle Sounders and Atletico Madrid in Seattle, Thursday, June 19, 2025. Photo by Ryan Sun / AP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei was driven off the field by ambulance and taken to a hospital to be evaluated for head and neck injuries at the end of a Major League Soccer match against the Columbus Crew on Sunday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Frei was alert as he left the field, Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer said. 'His fingers were moving, so he was OK in that regard. No paralysis, nothing major, but obviously I don't want to downplay it,' Schmetzer said. Late Sunday night, Frei posted on social media that he had returned home from the hospital. 'Still trying to figure out what happened at the end of the game,' he said, 'but I'm incredibly grateful to all the staff that looked after me and happy to be back home resting now. What resonates is all the messages, calls, and love I've received from so many of you. Thank you — truly. It means more than I can put into words. I feel the support, and I'm thankful for every single one of you.' Frei jumped forward to make a play on a free kick, and as he came down, his head collided with the knee of a Crew player. Frei dropped to the turf at Lumen Field and teammates signaled to the sideline for help. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. With the match tied at 1-1 deep in stoppage time, Schmetzer and Crew coach Wilfried Nancy appealed to the referee to end it. As Frei was stretchered to the waiting ambulance, Seattle fans chanted his first name. Schmetzer became emotional when describing how Nancy agreed to call the game, although the Crew had won a corner kick in the final moments. 'I appreciate what he did, because the ref wasn't going to stop the game, and everybody knew the game should have been stopped,' Schmetzer said. 'So good on him. So thank you, Wilfried.' Frei, 39, has played for the Sounders since 2014. He helped Seattle win the MLS Cup in 2016 and 2019, and he was named MLS Cup MVP in 2016. He was an All-Star in 2017. The Sounders said Frei made his 1,000th regular-season save with the team in the first half. Only former Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando (1,128) has more with a single team. Born in Switzerland, Frei's family moved to the United States when he was a teenager and he was a standout at the University of California. Toronto Blue Jays Canada Sunshine Girls World Toronto Raptors
