BERLIN
Germany has promised stronger support for Palestinian refugees and increased its donation to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees by €2 million.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced the sum in a written statement Tuesday, which was additional to €20.4 million sent to the UN agency between January and September.
He also thanked the UN body's commissioner general, Pierre Krahenbuhl, who is currently visiting Berlin, for "the great commitment" the agency had shown to the refugees, most recently in the Gaza Strip during Israel’s "Operation Protective Edge" offensive.
Steinmeier said: "One who views the latest images from Gaza understands how desperately they need our help.
"Lack of perspective can fan the flames of conflict."
He stressed that the main goal of the international community should be to alleviate the suffering of people in Gaza and improve their living conditions in a sustainable way.
Criticizing the inadequate help offered so far by the international community, Steinmeier underlined the importance of an international conference Sunday in Cairo for the reconstruction of Gaza.
"For a successful reconstruction and a lasting solution to the conflict, we need a reliable Palestinian partner in Gaza. And this can only be the Palestinian Authority," he said.
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