Contrary to Berlin’s declared position, Palestinian refugee minister invited to Germany by senior member of Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee; Chancellor Merkel: Visit infuriating

BERLIN – Diplomatic embarrassment for German government: Contrary to Berlin’s declared stance, which opposes any contacts with Hamas representatives, Palestinian Refugee Minister Atef Adawan visited Germany for a few hours at the invitation of a senior member of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Israel’s leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Thursday.

Adwan arrived in Germany after visiting Sweden and Norway, despite the fact that the German authorities conveyed a clear message to him through a third party that his presence on Germany’s soil was unwelcome.

Adwan ignored the message and arrived for a visit of a few hours, during which he met for a 40-minute talk with Bundestag representative Detlef Dzembritzki, a member of the Social Democratic party which is part of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government.

Merkel harshly criticized the visit on Wednesday, defining it as “infuriating.”

Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar is expected to visit China at the end of the month at the invitation of the Chinese government, despite denials by Chinese officials. Senior diplomatic officials said that Israel views the invitation as a highly severe act.

Itamar Eichner contributed to the report