Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, the former EU ambassador to the West Bank and Gaza, has criticized Israel's response to the horrific massacre carried out by Hamas. In a video interview with "Democracy Now," Burgsdorff argued that regardless of Hamas's actions, it does not justify Israel's extensive and indiscriminate use of lethal force against the Palestinian population in Gaza.
During the interview, Burgsdorff refrained from condemning Hamas's brutality and instead accused Israel of committing war crimes. He stated, "No matter what Hamas did, it does not justify such a large use of lethal force without distinction and without proportionality when it comes to the Palestinian population in Gaza." He expressed concern about Israel's threats to bomb corridors and shipments carrying humanitarian equipment, adding, "It cannot be. It is another war crime if it happens."
Raten Sie mal, wer den Gleitschirm nach Gaza brachte? Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, diplomatischer Vertreter der EU in Gaza und Westbank: "Once you have a free Palestine, a free Gaza, you can do exactly the same thing!“ #Hamas #Israel pic.twitter.com/NS8xnlRsxQ
— Birgit Kelle (@Birgit_Kelle) October 13, 2023
Regarding the Israeli perspective, Burgsdorff did not express empathy or understanding. He acknowledged the deep frustration and despair within Israeli society, particularly in the context of recent events. He stated, "I am fully aware of the hatred and frustration and this deep despair that has plagued Israeli society. And when they talk about their 9/11, of course I understand that view and the emotional stress they are in right now, and it is so difficult to have a rational discussion.”
However, he stressed the importance of adhering to international law and humanitarian principles, asserting that no matter what Hamas had done, it did not justify the use of lethal force. He argued against Israel having carte blanche in its actions, even in response to terrible acts affecting its citizens. He stated, "We need to be aware that we are still governed by international law. We have left the Middle Ages. We have rules of conduct for war. We have rules of conduct for how to apply humanitarian principles. And no matter what Hamas has done, it does not justify the use of lethal force. It cannot be that Israel has carte blanche because terrible acts, cruel and shocking acts happened to 1,000 or even 1,200 Israelis. This is not the excuse you can use to flatten Gaza."
The German diplomat & EU's Ambassador to the Palestinians, Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, performed the first paragliding flight ever in Gaza in July this year to "draw attention to Israel's occupation of Gaza"
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 9, 2023
He stated:
"I did this to prove that everything is possible in Gaza" pic.twitter.com/6yUaklgnCf
Burgsdorff, a German citizen, served as the EU ambassador to the Palestinian territories until last August. One of his final acts before leaving his post was to demonstrate how to fly a motorized paraglider to residents of Gaza, the same type of parachutes that Hamas had used in an attack against Israel.
A Reuters report from July 18 highlighted this flight, describing it as an effort to draw attention to the besieged Palestinian enclave. It was noted that the ambassador's private parachute had been smuggled into Gaza, thanks to the diplomatic immunity he enjoyed.
