Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Minister of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, visits a kibbutz which was attacked by Hamas terrorists on 7 October 2023;
Credit: MAEE
On the first day of his working visit to Israel and Palestine, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Minister of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Xavier Bettel, took part in various meetings in Israel.
On Tuesday 9 January 2024, Minister Bettel first visited Kfar Azza, a "kibbutz" which was attacked by Hamas terrorists on 7 October 2023. Dozens of civilians were killed or kidnapped at the time. Luxembourg's Foreign Minister met some of the residents who survived the terrorist attack.
"The testimonies that we were able to collect [on Tuesday] morning and the images that we saw are deeply disturbing. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can justify the barbaric acts committed by Hamas terrorists against innocent civilians," stated Minister Bettel, reiterating the call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas.
In Jerusalem, the minister subsequently had bilateral meetings with Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.
During these discussions, Minister Bettel stressed that each state has the right - and the obligation - to defend its citizens against terrorist attacks. He added, however, that after three months of fighting and thousands of deaths among the civilian population of Gaza, it is becoming increasingly difficult to argue in favour of a defence that would be legitimate and proportional. He recalled the absolute need for Israel to take strengthened measures to protect civilians in Gaza and to ensure the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to everyone in need. Finally, he reiterated his call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, noting that previous ceasefires had allowed the release of hostages.
As reported by Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, these meetings also allowed for in-depth exchanges of views on the prospect of peace in the Middle East. In this regard, Minister Bettel underlined Luxembourg's support for a two-state solution, as the only way to guarantee a just and lasting peace for all the populations of the region. The ministry added that Luxembourg believed this would be a peace that would guarantee Israel's security and prevent attacks like those of 7 October from happening again, while respecting the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.
Minister Bettel will continue his working visit to Ramallah in Palestine on Wednesday 10 January 2024.
