On its website, the Foreign Office of Germany recently announced:

„In the strongest terms we condemn the heinous attacks on civilians which occurred yesterday in Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva and this morning in Jerusalem. For murder there is no justification. Our thoughts and sympathy are with the victims and their relatives.

The ongoing violence, which has been claiming the lives of Israelis and Palestinians almost on a daily basis since mid-September, must cease.

Both sides must help to deescalate the violence. It’s not enough to deal with the symptoms; the causes of the conflict must also be addressed. Hope for peace between Israelis and Palestinians can only be attained through the resumption of serious efforts towards a fair two-state solution.“

Dear Foreign Office,

People make mistakes. Therefore, no one is immune to criticism. However, the timing is crucial. If a person rams a knife in another person’s neck, we shouldn’t be reprimanding the man with the knife stuck in his neck, especially when the wound is still bleeding. For that matter, condemnation should be aimed fully and unilaterally in the direction of the person who used the knife with murderous intent!

Or will the German Foreign Ministry now urge refugees to contribute to de-escalation after attacks on a refugee shelters? Does the Foreign Office think it appropriate to appeal in equal measure to both the man and the woman after a rape?

After a murder or a rape there is „hope for peace“ only if the offender is unequivocally condemned.

The knife attacks in Israel are certainly not an invitation to „resume serious efforts towards a fair two-state solution“. These are terrorist attacks! They must be condemned. Unequivocally and unilaterally!

(Translation: William Wires)