Israel Forces German FM to Choose Between Entering Ramallah, Quarantine

German FM Heiko Maas addresses a press conference in Berlin on October 17, 2019. (File photo: AFP)
German FM Heiko Maas addresses a press conference in Berlin on October 17, 2019. (File photo: AFP)
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Israel Forces German FM to Choose Between Entering Ramallah, Quarantine

German FM Heiko Maas addresses a press conference in Berlin on October 17, 2019. (File photo: AFP)
German FM Heiko Maas addresses a press conference in Berlin on October 17, 2019. (File photo: AFP)

The Israeli government warned Germany's foreign minister that if he visits Ramallah during a trip to the region this week, he would not be allowed into Israel without going into quarantine for 14 days first.

Heiko Maas was scheduled to meet with Palestinian leaders in Ramallah.

The move, which was denounced by Knesset member Tamar Zandberg, has also raised eyebrows inside the Hebrew state since the Ministry of Health in Tel Aviv did not take a decision to impose a quarantine on those entering Ramallah.

More so, many Israeli citizens and politicians enter the Palestinian city daily without being subject to any quarantine.

Meretz lawmaker Zandberg asked Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Tuesday to reverse the government's decision and allow Maas to visit the West Bank on his upcoming visit.

In a letter, Zandberg argued “there was an intention to sabotage his meetings with the Palestinian leadership, using the excuse that a visit to Ramallah will require him to quarantine in Israel… even though he was supposedly meant to do so upon his arrival from Germany.”

She called the decision “ridiculous” and called on Ashkenazi to allow Maas to visit the West Bank.

Maas, who arrived in Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning, had decided to hold only video consultations with Palestinians to avoid two weeks if isolation in an Israeli coronavirus hotel.

The German Foreign Minister will leave from Tel Aviv to Amman to meet with Jordanian officials.

According to Israeli sources, "Germany, a friend and ally of Israel, decided to increase its intervention to stop the plan to annex portions of the West Bank, because this plan has negative consequences and harms all parties, and will not help to save the peace process."

These sources said that Germany decided to make clear to Israel and the US administration that the unilateral annexation of areas in the West Bank is an uncalculated adventure that could significantly undermine regional and international stability.



Egypt Proposes ‘Safe Zones’ in Gaza Reconstruction Plan

Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)
Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)
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Egypt Proposes ‘Safe Zones’ in Gaza Reconstruction Plan

Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)
Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)

Egypt is finalizing a comprehensive plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, which includes the establishment of “safe zones,” as it announced the postponement of an emergency Arab summit on developments in the Palestinian issue to allow for further logistical and substantive preparations.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in an official statement on Tuesday that Cairo will host the emergency Arab summit on March 4.

The ministry added that the new date was set in coordination with Bahrain, which holds the current presidency of the Arab League summit, and after consultations with Arab states.

Egypt had initially announced last week that it would host the emergency Arab summit on February 27.

However, Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki said in a televised interview on Sunday night that the summit was likely to be postponed by a few days for logistical, not political, reasons, emphasizing that Cairo wanted the highest possible turnout of Arab leaders.

The call for an emergency Arab summit came after former US President Donald Trump suggested taking control of Gaza and relocating its residents to neighboring countries, particularly Egypt and Jordan.

The proposal triggered widespread regional and international condemnation and spurred a unified Arab stance rejecting any forced displacement.

Egypt has announced plans to present a comprehensive reconstruction proposal for Gaza that ensures Palestinians remain on their land, a plan currently being coordinated with Arab states.

According to Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper, Cairo has outlined a broad vision for rebuilding Gaza, centered on establishing safe zones for Palestinians.

The plan involves Egyptian and international companies clearing debris and restoring infrastructure within a short timeframe.

The report added that Egypt has called for an international conference on Gaza’s reconstruction, stressing that the scale of destruction requires tens of billions of dollars.

Cairo’s approach, it noted, is based on a practical and actionable plan that preserves Palestinian presence on the ground.