German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Tuesday that undermining the Palestinian Authority (PA) would not strengthen Israel’s security and could instead leave a gap that could be exploited by more “radical forces.”

“The PA is not perfect and is in urgent need of reform. However, weakening the PA does not serve Israel’s security; instead, it could create a vacuum that other, more radical forces might fill,” Wadephul said during a visit to Jerusalem.

Wadephul also said the PA needs access to the tax and customs revenues it is entitled to in order to continue providing basic services, adding that he had once again called for the transfer of funds owed to the PA.