Ambassador Seibert conveying his message in Hebrew
(Video: Seibert's X page)
The attendance of German Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert at a high-profile Israeli Supreme Court hearing concerning the judicial reform has sparked diplomatic tension between Jerusalem and Berlin.
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Adding fuel to the fire, Seibert recorded and uploaded a video from inside the courtroom, an action perceived as provocative by Israel's Foreign Ministry. In response, the ministry conveyed its serious concerns to the ambassador about both his behavior and his presence at the hearing.
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German Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert sits in on Supreme Court debate
(Photo: Seibert's X page)
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen instructed Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor to communicate Jerusalem's discontent with the German ambassador's conduct to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, adding that Seibert's behavior amounted to interference in Israel's internal affairs.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz backed Ambassador Seibert while speaking to journalists during his trip to New York. Scholz affirmed that the German ambassador was a dedicated individual with unwavering principles, and he believed this fact was recognized by everyone, including in Israel.
While Seibert was not officially summoned for reprimand, his behavior has generated significant concerns in Israel, at times being perceived as "nearing a lack of comprehension of the diplomatic role." Seibert has been called in for reprimands at the Israeli Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem in the past, among other things, because he participated in the controversial Alternative Day of Remembrance ceremony in Tel Aviv.
The Germans did not take the criticism lying down as a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry in Berlin released a statement saying, "Diplomats have a central responsibility to observe significant political developments in host countries. Visiting and participating in public discussions at the Supreme Court of a partner country, like Ambassador Seibert's visit, is an excellent example of this accepted practice. The Federal Foreign Office maintains regular contact with its Israeli counterparts. We cannot confirm reports in the media of an official protest from the Israeli Foreign Ministry."
In a video released from the Supreme Court discussion, Ambassador Seibert said in Hebrew: "I believe something of great importance is unfolding here for Israeli democracy. As friends of Israel, we also regard this matter with profound interest. I personally wanted to witness it firsthand."