German FM Urges Two-State Talks, Warns Against Delay in Peace Process
On his way to Israel, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that Germany currently does not intend to join other Western nations in recognizing a Palestinian state. However, he warned that if talks toward a two-state solution don’t begin, Germany may reconsider its stance.
He emphasized that lasting peace requires a negotiated two-state deal, and recognition of Palestine should come as part of that process—not before. His visit comes amid diplomatic tensions, with countries like France, the UK, and Canada signaling support for Palestinian statehood at the upcoming UN General Assembly.
Israel has firmly rejected such moves, calling them a reward for terrorism. In response to Wadephul’s comments, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir accused Germany of “returning to Nazism,” while Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar labeled the remarks “unnecessary and harmful.”
“Germany is a friendly country, and Foreign Minister Wadephul is a friend of Israel. This does not change even when there are disagreements between us,” wrote Sa’ar in a Hebrew-language post on X.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Thursday that Israel is becoming increasingly isolated on the global stage as more countries move toward recognizing Palestinian statehood, amid mounting frustration over the lack of progress in peace talks and worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Speaking ahead of his meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials, Wadephul noted that around 145 countries now either recognize or plan to recognize a Palestinian state. Meanwhile, the United States—through a White House statement on Wednesday—reaffirmed that President Donald Trump would not support such recognition at this time.
Wadephul described his visit to Israel and the West Bank as the result of “a joint decision of the security cabinet” in Germany, aimed at consulting with regional counterparts about “the dramatically worsening” humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
He warned that following the recent UN conference on the two-state solution—which was boycotted by both the US and Israel—Israel is increasingly finding itself in the minority on the international stage. “In view of the open threats of annexation by some in the Israeli government, a growing number of European countries are ready to recognize a state of Palestine without prior negotiations,” he stated.
Wadephul met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem on Thursday and is scheduled to hold meetings in the West Bank on Friday before returning to Germany, according to a statement from the German Embassy.
The minister said he will focus on “three messages” during his trip: that Hamas release the remaining hostages in Gaza — “among them also German citizens” — and give up its military and political power; that Israel “take swift, comprehensive, and lasting action to alleviate the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip”; and that a two-state solution process must urgently be set in motion.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul’s trip to Israel and the West Bank was not previously announced and comes in the wake of recent remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Earlier this week, Merz said that Germany, France, and the United Kingdom were discussing the possibility of jointly sending their foreign ministers to Israel on August 7 to increase diplomatic pressure over the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“We will probably ask the three foreign ministers to travel to Israel together next Thursday to present the position of our three governments,” Merz said, noting that two German military aircraft were already en route to Jordan to assist with humanitarian aid missions to Gaza.
As of now, no official confirmation has been made regarding the participation of UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy or France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in such a visit.
