UK and Germany foreign ministers visit Jerusalem amid increasing tensions between Israel and Iran

Europe, Middle East, News April 18, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

British Foreign Minister David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Jerusalem on April 17, 2024, to meet with the Israeli leadership and to urge them not to escalate tensions in the wake of Iran’s mass drone attack.

After meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Foreign Minister Israel Katz in Jerusalem, Cameron concluded that it is evident Israel is preparing to take action in response to the recent Iranian mass drone and ballistic missile attack.

Cameron’s statement marks a significant acknowledgment from a non-Israeli political figure that some form of Israeli military retaliation is likely unavoidable. Cameron hoped that any Israeli response would be conducted to minimize escalation.

“It’s clear the Israelis are making a decision to act,” Cameron said while speaking to reporters after the meeting. “We hope they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible” and that is “smart as well as tough.”

In a statement issued by the Israeli President’s office after the meeting, Herzog said the leadership in Tehran was endangering stability in the entire region with its actions. “The entire world must act decisively and defiantly against the threat to the Iranian regime,” the statement said.

Netanyahu thanked David Cameron and Annalena Baerbock for their visit and support while emphasizing Israel’s autonomy in decision-making. In a statement, the Israeli Prime Minister said, “I want to make it clear – we will make our own decisions, and the State of Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself.”

*^{German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, on April 17, 2024. (Image Credit: Maayan Toaf/Israel Government Press Office)}*

Israel’s top diplomat, Israel Katz, in his meetings with Cameron and Baerbock, urged them to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terror group. “Iran and its proxies endanger regional and global stability. Now we have an opportunity to curb Iran,” he was quoted by his office as telling the envoys. “It’s time to call the Revolutionary Guards by their real name – a terrorist organization – and impose painful sanctions on Iran’s missile project.”

G7 and EU seeking restraint

More than six months into the Gaza conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has resulted in flare-ups across the Middle East, diplomats are striving to prevent confrontation between Israel and Iran.

Western countries, including the United States, which initially strongly backed Israel’s campaign against Hamas, have grown increasingly uncomfortable with the high civilian death toll and have called for a ceasefire.

The Iranian missiles and drones launched on Saturday were largely intercepted by Israel and its allies, causing no fatalities. However, Israel insists on retaliating to uphold the credibility of its deterrence. Iran maintains it considers the issue resolved but will retaliate if Israel acts again.

Washington has announced plans to impose new sanctions targeting Iran’s missile and drone program in the coming days, anticipating support from its allies. EU leaders are set to discuss sanctions at a summit in Brussels, while the issue is also on the agenda at G7 talks in Italy.