German chancellor: No premature recognition of Palestine

Germany, unlike some of its European partners, does not intend to recognise Palestinian statehood in the foreseeable future, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The head of the German government emphasised that it is first important to implement the peace plan step by step, Caliber.Az informs.

“What will happen in the end, no one knows today. And since that is the case, the German government, unlike other European states, has rejected the premature recognition of a Palestinian state. We will not do this, nor in the foreseeable future,” Merz said.

He added that there are currently “no conditions” for the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Netanyahu welcomed the position, stating Israel remains "opposed to a Palestinian state" and prioritising security against Hamas threats, while appreciating Germany's "unwavering support."

This stance contrasts with recent recognitions by EU partners like Spain, Ireland, and Norway, highlighting divisions within Europe on the path to a two-state solution amid the ongoing Gaza conflict and post-October 7, 2023, dynamics.

Merz's two-day trip (December 6–7) is his first to Israel as chancellor since taking office in a March 2025 snap election, succeeding Olaf Scholz's coalition amid domestic debates on Germany's Israel policy. The visit aimed to "reset relations" strained after the Gaza war, which claimed over 69,500 Palestinian lives, per the Gaza Health Ministry.

By Khagan Isayev