Berlin (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Germany’s foreign minister has reconfirmed the country’s stance that it won’t recognise a Palestinian state until Israelis and Palestinians reach a two-state solution through negotiation.
As he heads to the UN General Assembly in New York, Johann Wadephul says that
“a negotiated two-state solution is the path that can allow Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace, security and dignity.”
“For Germany, recognition of a Palestinian state comes more at the end of the process. But this process must begin now,”
He says.
Johann Wadephul’s comments came ahead of the UN General Assembly, where France is set to become the latest country to recognise a Palestinian state, following in the footsteps of Australia, the UK, Canada, and Portugal, which did so on Sunday.
What is the focus of this year’s UN Assembly?
Over 140 heads of state are in New York this week for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which will focus on the future of Palestinians. The event, co-sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, is designed to resurrect a two-state solution to Israel and Palestine, where two states peacefully exist behind secure and recognised borders.
The recognition is meant to put pressure on Israel over its campaign in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of tens of thousands, severely damaged much of the enclave, and sparked strong criticism from Israel’s allies.
Likewise, the UK officially recognised the state of Palestine, a salient turnaround in UK foreign policy. This fateful announcement made by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to safeguard the viability of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. In announcing this recognition, the UK government described the decision as a moral responsibility to support peace and a response to the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza and continued Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank.
What’s shifting with Germany’s stance on Israel?
Germany has historically been counted as one of Israel’s staunchest allies because of its historical responsibility for the Holocaust, but in recent weeks has made some notable moves that signal a turnaround.
In August 2025, Germany cut off arms shipments to Israel in protest against its announced plans to reoccupy certain parts of Gaza. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was deeply concerned with the humanitarian suffering of the Palestinian people and noted the logic of how expanding its military offensive would achieve any of Israel’s objectives.
