The head of the Red Crescent discusses with officials and members of parliament in Germany ways to enhance the humanitarian response and protect civilians in Palestine

Berlin - Ofoq News - Dr. Younis Al-Khatib, President of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, opened his official visit to the German capital, Berlin, with a meeting with Clemens Hach, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting discussed developments in the humanitarian situation in particular in the Gaza Strip, and the importance of enhancing respect for international humanitarian law and protecting civilians.

Dr. Al-Khatib also discussed with the officials of the human rights and humanitarian aid file in the Ministry the urgent humanitarian needs and challenges facing the delivery of aid and medical services to those affected, reviewing the history of the extended partnership between the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the German Red Cross and its role in developing health and emergency services, capacity building programs and emergency response.

Within the framework of the parliamentary meetings, Dr. Al-Khatib later met with Member of Parliament Alexander Radwan, foreign policy spokesman for the Social Party (CSU). The two parties discussed the importance of supporting humanitarian work, providing protection for civilians, and enhancing opportunities for stability in the region, in addition to the role of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the field response and how to strengthen and develop it.

Dr. Al-Khatib also participated in the German Red Cross Parliamentary Dialogue Forum with the participation of members of various political blocs in the German Bundestag to promote humanitarian dialogue and international cooperation. He reviewed the worsening humanitarian reality and the challenges facing medical teams in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, stressing that respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians and relief personnel are a basic condition for ensuring the arrival of aid and the continuity of services.

At the level of diplomatic communication, the association’s president met with Laith Arafa, the Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Germany. Ways to enhance joint coordination to support Palestinian humanitarian issues and highlight the needs of the Palestinian people to German decision-makers were discussed.

Dr. Al-Khatib then participated in an expanded meeting with the German-Arab Friendship Association (DAFG), which was chaired by prominent German political, academic and economic figures. They discussed the importance of expanding support for humanitarian and development projects and enhancing the presence of the Palestinian humanitarian narrative in the German public debate.

Dr. Al-Khatib concluded his official meetings by meeting with Mrs. Dorte Diener, Minister of State in the Office of the German President. He conveyed to her a comprehensive picture of the humanitarian reality and the challenges facing the humanitarian response system and medical teams in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, stressing that respect for international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers represent an indispensable basis for ensuring the continued provision of relief services.