Germany rules out recognition of Palestinian state in near future

• Chancellor Merz confirmed Germany will not recognize a Palestinian state in the foreseeable future.
• Recognition, he said, should come after peace negotiations, not before.
• Germany faces domestic criticism for unconditional support for 'Israel'.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Sunday that Berlin has no plans to recognize an independent Palestinian state “in the foreseeable future.”

Speaking at a joint press briefing with 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Merz stressed the importance of following a step-by-step peace process.

"What matters now is implementing this peace plan step by step, and none of us knows today what the outcome will be. Because this is the case, the federal government, unlike other European states, has refrained from recognizing a Palestinian state at this early stage. We will not do so in the foreseeable future either," he said.

Merz added that recognition of a Palestinian state should come at the end, not the beginning, of peace negotiations, reiterating that a two-state solution can only be achieved through dialogue. He emphasized that Germany supports efforts “towards the goal of a new Middle East” in which both 'Israel' and a prospective Palestinian state are recognized.

"We are convinced that the prospective establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel probably offers the best prospect for this future," Merz said.

Germany’s position has sparked growing domestic criticism. Public figures, intellectuals, and legal experts have urged Berlin to end what they describe as “blind loyalty” to 'Israel', particularly amid its military operations in Gaza.

In October, nearly 200 scholars and foreign policy experts signed a policy paper calling for Germany to base its decisions on international law rather than historical guilt and to reconsider its unconditional support for 'Israel'.