Germany rules out immediate recognition of Palestinian state

Germany has ruled out recognising a Palestinian state in the near future, emphasising instead the need to make “long-overdue progress” towards a two-state solution, a government spokesperson said on July 25.

“Israel's security is of paramount importance to the German government. The German government therefore has no plans to recognise a Palestinian state in the short term,” the spokesperson stated, Caliber.Az reports per Reuters.

The comments came amid growing international debate over Palestinian statehood, sparked by France’s announcement that it would recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September. The French decision drew sharp criticism from Israel and the United States, as the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas continues.

Germany’s longstanding position on Israel is deeply shaped by its historical responsibility for the Holocaust, in which six million Jews were murdered under Adolf Hitler’s regime from 1933 to 1945.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced his decision late on July 24, just hours before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would hold an emergency call with leaders from France and Germany to address the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza the next day.

In the UK, the government signaled that its immediate focus remains on humanitarian relief and efforts to halt the fighting.

“Britain's immediate priority is alleviating suffering in Gaza and securing a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas,” a cabinet minister said on July 25, as Starmer faced increasing pressure to follow France’s lead in recognising a Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, Italy took a more cautious stance. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that any recognition of a Palestinian state must go hand in hand with recognition of Israel by the new entity.

“A Palestinian state that does not recognise Israel means that the problem will not be resolved,” Tajani told members of his conservative Forza Italia party.

By Sabina Mammadli