Germany Rejects Recognition of Palestinian State Amid Macron's Announcement

The German government has decided not to recognize a Palestinian state in the near future, deeming such a move inappropriate at this time. According to a government spokesperson, the belief remains that a negotiated two-state solution is the only viable pathway to achieving lasting peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

The spokesperson emphasized that the recognition of a Palestinian state would be viewed as one of the final steps in realizing a two-state solution. Additionally, the security of Israel continues to hold paramount importance for the German government, leading to the decision not to pursue recognition of a Palestinian state at this moment.

This stance comes in the wake of French President Emmanuel Macron's recent announcement that France intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September. The German government has expressed its priority of achieving overdue progress on critical issues related to the ongoing conflict.

Among the urgent matters highlighted by the spokesperson are the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and the disarmament of the militant group. The spokesperson also urged Israel to take immediate and significant actions to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, stressing the necessity of providing essential aid to the suffering civilian population.

Furthermore, the spokesperson pointed out the need for a sustainable political perspective for Gaza, highlighting that a temporary ceasefire should evolve into a lasting peace agreement. The German government reiterated that Israel should refrain from any further actions that could lead to the annexation of the West Bank.

To facilitate this process, the German government remains in constant communication with both the Israeli government and international partners. It has indicated a readiness to apply pressure if progress remains stagnant, although specific measures for such actions were not disclosed. Recently, voices within the Social Democratic Party (SPD) have called for a halt to German arms exports to Israel and a freeze on the EU association agreement with Israel.

The German government has committed to continuing its support for establishing the conditions necessary for Palestinian statehood, which includes backing the Palestinian Authority.