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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that Berlin has no intention of recognising an independent Palestinian state “in the foreseeable future”, despite rising pressure at home and abroad for Germany to review its stance in light of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Sunday, Merz said Germany believed the focus should remain on implementing a peace framework gradually rather than taking what he described as premature political steps.
He explained that, unlike some other European countries, Germany had chosen not to recognise a Palestinian state at this stage and would not change that position in the near future, as the final outcome of the peace process remains uncertain.
The chancellor reaffirmed that the German government sees recognition as something that should come at the end of negotiations, not the beginning.
He stressed that any lasting solution must be achieved through dialogue between the parties involved and insisted that a two-state settlement could only emerge from direct talks.
Merz noted that Germany continues to work towards what he described as the vision of a “new Middle East”, in which Israel’s security and regional acceptance are assured.
He said Berlin remains convinced that the eventual creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel offers the best chance for long-term peace, even though it does not support immediate recognition.
Germany’s firm alignment with Israel during the war in Gaza has triggered growing public criticism across the country.
In October, around 200 academics, legal experts and foreign policy specialists signed a policy paper calling on the centre-right government to abandon what they described as unconditional backing for Israel and to end the suppression of pro-Palestinian voices.
The signatories urged Berlin to base its foreign policy on international law rather than historical responsibility alone.
