BERLIN – Germany’s government clarified on Friday that it is “not planning to recognise a Palestinian state in the short term,” putting distance between itself and a push by French President Emmanuel Macron to do so after the summer.
The French leader had announced on Thursday that Paris would unilaterally recognise Palestinian statehood in September, to accelerate “a just and lasting peace” in the Gaza Strip, which remains occupied by Israel.
Berlin, by contrast, would prioritise “a negotiated two-state solution,” the spokesperson of the German government, Stefan Kornelius, said in a statement.
Germany has traditionally taken a cautious stance on the matter, given a particular sensitivity to the stance of the Israeli government, grounded in the country’s historical responsibility for the Holocaust.
While Germany remained committed to Palestinian statehood, its recognition would be “one of the final steps on the way to a two-state solution,” Kornelius said, adding that “Israel’s security is of superior importance” to the government.
Kornelius acknowledged that there were “different positions on the right time for recognition” between Berlin and Paris, as well as the UK. The three countries together form the E3, an informal grouping that has been leading Europe’s response to the crisis in the Middle East.
The E3 leaders are expected to hold an “emergency call” later on Friday, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Thursday evening, prior to Macron’s comments.
Kornelius said the three countries agreed on the steps that would be necessary to “end the suffering of the civilian population [and] … keep open the prospect of a two-state solution.”
Among them, he named a ceasefire in Gaza, the disarmament of the terrorist group Hamas, and the release of the hostages that it had taken during its attack on Israel on 7 October.
Kornelius also called for Israel to allow for more aid to enter the Strip, as well as a “sustainable” political perspective for Gaza.
UPDATE: The piece has been updated to include historical context on Germany.
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