Watan-In new statements, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock revealed that Saudi Arabia and Israel have not abandoned the normalization policy, particularly in relation to Eurofighter aircraft. She pointed out that Riyadh plays a significant role in protecting the occupation.
Baerbock, commenting on Berlin’s approval of the sale of Eurofighter jets, stated that the Saudi regime plays a role in the crisis arising from the Israeli war in Gaza, where Houthi-launched missiles targeting Israel are intercepted.
She added that Saudi Arabia and the Israeli occupation have not relinquished the normalization policy, even after the Al-Aqsa Storm operation on October 7th last year. Instead, Riyadh has been protecting the occupation by intercepting Houthi missiles in Yemen.
وزيرة الخارجية الألمانية من إسرائيل:
ممتنون للسعودية لمساهمتها في الحفاظ على أمن إسرائيل، كما أنها لم تتخلى عن سياسة التطبيع. لذلك قررنا الموافقة على بيعهم 48 طائرة يوروفايتر.
يجب على الصهـ ـاينة بناء تمثال لابن سلمان في وسط الأراضي المحتلة، فهو أحد أبطالهم القوميين.… pic.twitter.com/0vxy0JIloN
— تركي الشلهوب (@TurkiShalhoub) January 8, 2024
Baerbock: ‘Saudi Arabia a Major Contributor to Israel’s Security’
The minister’s remarks came during her visit to the Israeli entity, following her meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid in West Jerusalem.
According to the Turkish newspaper “Daily Sabah,” the German minister reiterated her description of Saudi Arabia as a ‘major contributor to Israel’s security.’
Baerbock stated that Berlin has allowed the sale of Eurofighter jets to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after years of German veto on selling this type of aircraft.
Germany grateful for Saudi protection of Israel
Germany had previously opposed arms sales to Saudi Arabia. However, after the Saudi Air Force used Eurofighter jets to defend against missiles launched by the Houthis targeting Israeli territory, Berlin allowed the sale of these aircraft to Riyadh.
According to the sueddeutsche website, Saudi Arabia has been pressing for a decision on 48 fighter jets of this type for a long time, indicating that it might consider alternatives from its French competitor, Dassault.
Baerbock commented on this, stating, ‘This demonstrates Riyadh’s commitment to a better future in the region. Saudi Arabia is currently making a significant contribution to Israel’s security and containing the threat of regional escalation,’ according to her description.