Germany’s Scholz calls on Israel to exercise restraint

BERLIN

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday called on Israel to exercise restraint, and refrain from a unilateral reaction against Iran.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels at the end of a two-day EU summit, Scholz said European leaders strongly condemned Iran’s attack against Israel, and they expressed their concerns over a possible escalation in the region.

“It is very good that Israel has managed to successfully defend itself against this attack. From my point of view, and that of many other leaders who have commented here, it is important that Israel does not endanger now this support and this success,” he said.

“All parties should exercise restraint in order to avoid a conflagration, and that is also something we agreed on here in Brussels,” he said, referring to the deliberations among EU heads of state and government.

His remarks came amid heightened tensions in the region, as Iranian Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “Israel will make its own decisions” and “do whatever is necessary,” despite international calls for restraint and de-escalation.

Tehran carried out an overnight attack on Israel Saturday in response to an April 1 strike on its consulate in Syria that killed seven Iranian military officers, including two top-ranking commanders.

Iran reportedly fired more than 300 drones and missiles on Saturday, with almost all intercepted by the air defense systems of Israel and its allies – the US, France and the UK.