Thorsten Frei Emphasizes Attachment to Israel – Arms Exports "in Principle Right"

Israel is in a constant struggle for its existence against its neighbors and has a legitimate interest in being able to defend itself, said Chancellor Torsten Frei.

Minister of the Chancellery, Thorsten Frei, admonishes prudence in the light of the debate on Israel's action in the Gaza Strip. The special relationship with the country must not be at stake – even if criticism is legitimate.

Chancellor Torsten Frei spoke of Germany's "special relationship" with Israel, while expressing reservations about the country's war strategy. "There should be no doubt about our solidarity with Israel. Our special relationship takes precedence over all other considerations," Frei told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, but he also noted that "it is legitimate to express doubts about Israel's war strategy."

In light of the debate over Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, Chancellor's Office Minister Thorsten Frei (CDU) has warned against questioning Germany's relationship with Israel. "There must be no doubt about our solidarity with Israel," Frei told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung" (FAS). "The special relationship with Israel takes precedence over all other considerations. That cannot be negotiable." Frei added that it was "legitimate…