German diplomat slammed for ‘inspiring’ Hamas to launch paragliding-style attack against Israel

A German diplomat who previously served as the European Union envoy to Gaza is being slammed by people who claim that a clip of him paragliding over Gaza in July inspired Hamas to carry out similar attacks against Israel.

In July, Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff was filmed conducting “the first Gaza paragliding flight in history” as he soared over Gaza’s coast while shouting, “Free Palestine!”

The then EU envoy had told Palestinians in the clip that once they are free, “You can do exactly the same thing.”

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Video goes viral

The video went viral around two days ago, following the Isael-Hamas war, as it reminded many of the October 7 assault when the militants first began their coordinated attack by paragliding into a music festival in Israel.

Hundreds of people were killed when militants opened fire on the festival-goers, with many taken hostage in Gaza.

But what riled up many was when von Burgsdorff in a recent radio interview, criticised Israel for what he said was an "unjustified" attack on Gaza in response to the Hamas attack. The remarks prompted netizens to dig out his old video to claim that hisrecreational stunt inspired Hamas to launch the terrorist attack.

Thank you Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff for introducing Gazans to paragliding! Job well done, really!
I know you meant well but the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And hell it was for many people thanks to #HamasTerrorists #FreeGazaFromHamas pic.twitter.com/WcrGv1Srky — Benny, #MTBing in Israel (@omadawnx) October 22, 2023

Envoy slams Israel

“It cannot be that Israel has carte blanche because terrible acts, cruel and shocking acts happened to 1,000 or even 1,200 Israelis,” von Burgsdorff said during a recent radio interview.

“This is not the excuse you can use to flatten Gaza,” he added, the New York Post reported.

“It cannot be that Israel is threatening to bomb corridors and shipments carrying humanitarian equipment. It cannot be. It is another war crime if it happens,” he said.

The remarks were criticised by Israel’s foreign ministry calling the show “provocative” propaganda that only served to bolster Hamas.

“The European diplomat forgot a long time ago that he represents the European Union and its member states,” the ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas as an existential battle against the “forces of darkness".

He equated the fight against Hamas to a struggle between the “forces of light” representing humanity and the “forces of darkness” embodying animalism, The Times of Israel reported. He emphasised that the main objective was to secure victory over Hamas.

(With inputs from agencies)

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