German Development Minister Dirk Niebel was denied entry to the Gaza Strip on Sunday. Once again, it would seem, Israel has failed to strike the correct diplomatic tone. And it shows that the country cannot deal with criticism.
It's the kind of backwards logic that Israel has deployed for years with regard to its blockade of the Gaza Strip. Rice is allowed in, pasta is not. Cinnamon: Yes, Coriander: No. Under pressure from the international community, Israel had to relax such regulations recently.
It is also important to note that Niebel is anything but a detractor of Israel. As a young man, he was a volunteer on a kibbutz, Kfar Giladi on the border of Israel and Lebanon. He has also defended Israeli military actions more than once in the past. He is currently the vice-president of the German-Israeli Society. Niebel is a friend of Israel.
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