On September 22, a significant event will take place at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where France, Canada, Belgium, and the United Kingdom are expected to recognize Palestine as a state. The main objective of this move is to pressure Israel to end the ongoing Gaza conflict and initiate a new peace process. So far, nearly 150 out of 193 UN member states have recognized Palestine’s statehood. However, the United States and Israel staunchly oppose such recognition, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labeling it as a “reward for terror” for Hamas, a group categorized as terrorists by Israel, the US, EU, and others.
Germany, on the other hand, has stated that it will not recognize Palestine as a state in the short term. According to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the conditions for state recognition have yet to be fulfilled, and it should be the final step in a peace process leading to a two-state solution. Critics argue that this condition is unrealistic, given the current situation in Gaza and the reduced chances of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel. Merkel also emphasized the German government’s commitment to combating antisemitism, a position that has been questioned by some politicians in light of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Pressure is mounting on Germany from both the European Union and civil society organizations to take a stronger stance. Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign affairs chief, has called on Germany to participate in sanctions against Israel, and there’s a petition circulating urging the German government to follow up its criticism of Israel with action. In a survey conducted by the German Institute for Public Opinion Research (Forsa), a majority of Germans support state recognition of Palestine, while the UN’s opposition to recognition continues to shrink. Nevertheless, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority’s president, has been denied entry to the US, limiting the impact of any recognition in New York.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-walks-tightrope-over-recognizing-state-of-palestine/a-74070391?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
