German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a video address just before the start of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, called for a longer-lasting ceasefire in the Gaza war.
"Preferably during Ramadan," he said. "Such a ceasefire should ensure that the Israeli hostages are finally released and that more humanitarian aid finally arrives in Gaza."
He was certain that the vast majority of Israelis and Palestinians wanted peace, he said.
Scholz was saddened that Muslims in Germany were increasingly worried about social cohesion.
"After the reports of racist deportation plans by far-right extremists, I keep hearing worried questions about the future," he said. "I think our response to this must be very clear: We will not allow ourselves to be divided as a country!"
Native born citizens and those who immigrated to Germany equally belong here, he said.
For devout Muslims, a week-long period of fasting begins on Monday, the first day of Ramadan, as announced by Saudi Arabia, Islam’s birthplace.
This year, the month of fasting is overshadowed by developments in Gaza. Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been negotiating a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza between Palestinian Islamist Hamas and Israel for weeks.
The mediators had hoped to reach an agreement by the start of Ramadan. In addition to a ceasefire, they want the release of Israeli hostages who have been kidnapped by Hamas.
Scholz said that many people were thinking particularly of their relatives in the Middle East these days.
"I want you to know that you are not alone in your sympathy," he emphasized. "Many people in Germany are also deeply affected - by the suffering of the murdered and abducted Israelis and the fate of the innocent people killed, wounded and suffering in Gaza."
