Wer wissen will, warum wir diesen Aussenminister noch gut gebrauchen können, lese sein exzellentes, absolut unpopulistisches Interview mit der arabischen Zeitung Al Hayat (Englisch) hier. Ein Zitat:
Al-Hayat: Who do you think is to blame for the war in Lebanon in July-August last year: Israel or Hezbollah? And is there any justification for Israel to bomb Lebanon’s infrastructures during the summer?
FM Steinmeier: The confrontation last summer was clearly started by Hezbollah, who in blunt violation of UN-resolutions kidnapped two Israeli soldiers from Israeli territory. There is no justification what so ever for this action. During the subsequent fighting, we underlined our conviction that all military action must be proportionate and spare innocent civilians. I would like to draw your attention to another consequence of Hezbollah’s attack: In Israeli public opinion, the result was that more and more people believe that any withdrawal of Israeli troops will not lead to peace, but to further violence. Israel withdrew from South-Lebanon – Hezbollah attacked. Israel withdrew from the Gaza-Strip – Kassam-rockets continue to be fired. How to you expect any Israeli government to convince its people that withdrawal from occupied territories is a recipe for peace? Those who justify their attacks by continued occupation don’t understand that they are actually sabotaging the chances of further withdrawal.
Solche klaren Worte werden auch in der arabischen Öffentlichkeit goutiert.