Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul meet in Jerusalem (Photo: Shlomi Amsalem/GPO)
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced on Thursday that Berlin remains committed to the internationally favored two-state solution.
“A negotiated two-state solution remains the only path that can offer people on both sides a life in peace, security, and dignity,” Wadephul stated. His remarks come as France, the United Kingdom, and Canada have recently announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state in the near future.
Wadephul, who was travelling to Israel on Thursday, stressed that Germany favors a negotiated solution and would respond to “unilateral steps.”
“For Germany, the recognition of a Palestinian state comes more at the end of that process. But such a process must begin now,” the German foreign minister said.
Germany is widely regarded as one of Israel’s strongest allies in the European Union.
By contrast, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Wednesday that Canada would unilaterally recognize the “State of Palestine” at the United Nations General Assembly in the fall.
“Canada intends to recognize the State of Palestine at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025,” Carney stated .
The Canadian premier linked the decision to the war in Gaza. “The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable,” Carney argued, without putting blame on the Hamas terrorist organization for the current crisis.
Carney emphasized that Canada’s diplomatic recognition would be contingent on the Palestinian Authority’s ability and willingness to implement political reforms and hold general elections in 2026, with Hamas barred from participating.
“The possibility of a two-state solution is being eroded before our eyes,” Carney stated. Israel has previously accepted the internationally supported two-state solution, while the Arab side has repeatedly rejected it.
The Canadian leader also did not address the fact that vast majority the Arabic-speaking population in Gaza, Judea and Samaria (West Bank) support the Oct. 7 massacre .
The Israeli Foreign Ministry blasted Canada’s intention to recognize “Palestine,” describing it a “reward for Hamas” that undermines both the ceasefire in Gaza and securing the release of the remaining 50 Israeli hostages.
“The change in the position of the Canadian government at this time is a reward for Hamas and harms the efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and a framework for the release of the hostages,” the Foreign Ministry said in an official statement. The United States has also argued that Western recognition of a Palestinian state constitutes a reward for Hamas.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently criticized French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement that France intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.
“This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th,” Rubio wrote on 𝕏.
The Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni recently distanced herself from France by warning against unilaterally recognizing the State of Palestine before such entity is established.
“I am very much in favor of the State of Palestine, but I am not in favor of recognizing it prior to establishing it,” Meloni said .
“If something that doesn’t exist is recognized on paper, the problem could appear to be solved when it isn’t,” she added.
