Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a significant policy shift, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul declared Thursday that the time has come to begin a process leading toward the recognition of a Palestinian state. Speaking ahead of a planned visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories, Fadevoll emphasized that Berlin is committed to supporting Palestinian statehood and may even consider unilateral steps if diplomatic momentum stalls.
“For Germany, recognition of the State of Palestine is likely to come at the end of a negotiated process but that process must start now,” Wadephul said in a statement released by the Foreign Ministry. His comments underscore a growing sense of urgency among European capitals to break the diplomatic impasse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly amid escalating violence and a worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
While Germany has traditionally been cautious about unilateral recognition of Palestine, Wadephul signaled a notable shift in tone. “In light of open threats of annexation coming from parts of the Israeli government, an increasing number of European countries are ready to recognize the State of Palestine, even without a prior negotiated process,” he warned.
The German foreign minister did not elaborate on what potential “unilateral steps” Berlin might take, but his remarks suggest a willingness to align more closely with countries such as France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, which have recently announced plans to recognize Palestinian statehood during the upcoming 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025.
Wadephul is expected to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders during his regional tour, where discussions will focus on the rapidly deteriorating situation in Gaza and the broader prospects for a two-state solution. “Death and suffering in Gaza have reached unimaginable proportions,” he said, referring to the mounting civilian toll from Israeli military operations and the ongoing blockade.
He also noted that Israel is increasingly finding itself diplomatically isolated. “Israel is increasingly in the minority position internationally. If it continues down this path, it will risk alienating not only its neighbors but many of its longstanding allies.”
The comments come at a moment of growing frustration in Europe over the lack of progress in ceasefire negotiations and the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians. Several EU members have begun re-evaluating their policies, with some suggesting that recognizing Palestinian statehood could help revive a stalled peace process and rebalance diplomatic dynamics in the region.
Wadephul’s announcement adds to mounting pressure on the international community to take decisive steps toward ending the conflict and addressing the underlying political deadlock. Whether Berlin’s shift will translate into concrete action remains to be seen, but it marks a clear signal that patience with the current status quo is wearing thin even among Israel’s closest allies.
