Germany rules out Palestinian recognition – for now

Damien McGuinness

Berlin correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

President Macron’s announcement that France would recognise a Palestinian state has added pressure on Germany to follow suit.

But, on Friday, a German government spokesman ruled out recognition anytime soon. Berlin instead argues that this should be the final stage of a negotiated two-state solution.

Because of historical guilt for the Holocaust, German politicians usually avoid criticising Israel.

Friedrich Merz has gone further than is usual for a German chancellor in condemning Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza – describing the situation in Gaza as “unacceptable” and telling Netanyahu “explicitly that we do not share the Israeli government’s policy on Gaza”.

But Merz appears reluctant to back up his words with action, ruling out sanctions or arms embargoes. The German government argues that such actions would undermine Berlin’s influence over Netanyahu.

The flaw in that argument is that German influence appears non-existent anyway.

Meanwhile the public mood has shifted in Germany – a country which traditionally sees support for Israel as non-negotiable.

Calls are increasing within Merz’s own government, and even within the diplomatic service, for Berlin to change course.

After the 7 October Hamas attacks, around 50% of Germans believed Israel’s actions in Gaza were justified. Today, just 12% believe that.

LONDON (AP) — The leaders of Britain, France and Germany will hold an emergency call Friday about the growing hunger crisis in Gaza, after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country will become the first major Western power to recognize a Palestinian state.

The surprise announcement exposes differences among the European allies, known as the E3, over how to ease the worsening humanitarian crisis and end the Israel-Hamas war.

All three support a Palestinian state in principle, but Germany said it has no immediate plans to follow France’s step, which Macron plans to formalize at the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Britain has not followed suit either, though Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday came closer than ever before, saying “statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.”

Starmer said he, Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz will speak Friday about “what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace.”

“The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible,” said Starmer, who is under mounting pressure to formally recognize Palestinian statehood, both from opposition lawmakers and from members of his own Labour Party government. Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Tuesday called for an announcement “while there’s still a state of Palestine left to recognize.”

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More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state, including a dozen in Europe. But France is the first Group of Seven country and largest European nation to take the step. Israel and the U.S. both denounced the decision.

Britain has long supported the idea of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel, but has said recognition should come as part of a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict.

Any such solution appears far off. There had been no substantive Israel-Palestinian negotiations for years even before the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and sparked the current war.

The worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where hunger is spreading and children have starved to death, has caused alarm even among Israel’s closest allies.

Germany has traditionally been a particularly staunch ally of Israel in Europe, with relations rooted in the history of the Holocaust. It says recognizing a Palestinian state should be “one of the concluding steps” in negotiating a two-state solution and it “does not plan to recognize a Palestinian state in the short term.”

But Berlin, too, has sharpened its tone recently, describing the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza as unacceptable and pushing for greater humanitarian aid, but still appears to favor trying to influence Israeli officials by direct contact.

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The German government said in a statement Friday that it is in a “constant exchange” with the Israeli government and other partners on issues including a ceasefire in Gaza and the need to drastically improve humanitarian aid. It said it is “prepared to increase the pressure” if there is no progress, but didn’t elaborate on how.

Britain has halted some arms sales to Israel, suspended free trade talks and sanctioned far-right government ministers and extremist settlers, but Starmer is under intense pressure to do more.

Labour lawmaker Emily Thornberry, who chairs Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, said a majority of committee members supported immediate recognition of the state of Palestine.

“We’ve been in favor for 40 years of a two-state solution, and yet it’s been drifting,” she told Times Radio, saying Macron’s announcement should be a “kickstart” for the peace process.

Also weighing on Starmer is his desire to maintain good relations with the U.S. administration, which has strongly criticized France’s decision. The British leader is due to meet President Donald Trump in the next few days while the president is in Scotland visiting two golf courses he owns there.

Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle East expert at the international affairs think-tank Chatham House, said Macron’s decision to defer finalizing recognition until September “creates some space” for other countries to get on board.

“We know that the U.K. is close, but not there,” he said. “This might encourage Starmer, who we know is not one to rush such a decision. … This might create some momentum, some dynamic, for the U.K.”

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Associated Press writer Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this story.

Pressure is increasing on Britain to recognise the state of Palestine, just a day after French President Emmanuel Macron made the historic announcement to do so. While the UK continues to support a two-state solution since 1980 in the Israel-Palestine conflict, the war and worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza are forcing the hand of the Labour Prime Minister Kier Starmer to make the bold deicision.

UK recognising Palestine state: What are Starmer’s choices?

Starmer and several member of his cabinet are of the view that a recognition of the Palestinian state should be ‘strategically timed’ within a peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. But criticis argue that waiting for a perfect moment could lead to missing the opportunity altogether, warning that ultimately there would not be a Palestinian state left to recognise. Amid the Gaza war, the UK has taken limited steps like sanctioning hardliner Israeli ministers like Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir for inciting violence.

But Labour governemnt’s is being slammed for being overly cautious to avoid offending allies like the US.

France’s recognition of Palestinian state

On Thursday (July 24), French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to recognise Palestinian statehood by the UN General Assembly in September. France’s commitment to recognise Palestinian statehood has intensified scrutiny of the UK’s position. With this histoic move, France will become the first G7 member to recognise Palestine.

Macron’s initiative has increased expectations for UK alignment, since the two nations have pledged to coordinate on the Israel-Palestine issue.

Palestinian officials as well as countries like Saudi Arabia welcomed Macron’s decision, while the US and Israel condemned it.

Starmer is expected to speak to Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as early as Friday.

Starmer is facing pressure from both inside and outside his party

If UK recognises Palestine, it would be a watershed moment. Already, more than 125 British MPs, including from Labour and the Liberal Democrats, supported the immediate recognition of Palestine, calling it an inalienable right, not conditional on a broader peace process.

Labour MP Sarah Champion recently organised a cross-party letter signed by more than 100 MPs, citing the UK’s historical responsibility stemming from the Balfour Declaration, to recognise Palestine. Some members of Starmer cabinet such as Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn have publically called for Palestine recognition. London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Labour-supporingng Trades Union Congress have also joined the call.

More than 30 former diplomats and ambassadors, the Archbishop of York have asked for recognition, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

What is Starmer’s position on Palestinian statehood?

The British prime inister has acknowledged Palestinian statehood as an “inalienable right”, and condemned the ‘unspeakable and indefensible’ situation in Gaza, where mass starvation is being reported due to Israel’s aid blockade.

But Starmer maintains that a recognition of Palestine must come within a peace process to ensure maximum impact, a view backed by some of his cabinet members like Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle.

Starmer recognising Palestine could jeapordise ties with US amid Trump’s visit

Trump is visiting Scotland on a private trip, but is expected to either meet or talk to Starmer when he is in UK on Friday. Starmer is supporting efforts led by the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. Trump, a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is likely to pressure Starmer against recognising Palestine. Starmer, for his part, is likely to raise the Gaza humanitarian crisis with Trump. Netanyahu opposes the recognition of Palestine, calling it a launch pad to annihilate Israel.

Starmer’s dilemma on recognising Palestine

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle insisted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wants sovereignty agreed “more than anyone” but said the status must be reached as part of a political process.

It comes amid calls from both opposition critics and Labour ranks for the Government to support statehood after France became the biggest and most powerful European country to recognise Palestine.

Speaking to broadcasters on Friday, Mr Kyle said the road to sovereignty was “in the gift of Palestine and Israel” through ceasefire negotiations, adding that Britain’s immediate focus was on helping to restore aid to Gaza.

“Keir Starmer wants this more than anyone else, but believes it is a crucial step towards delivering the peace and security into the future, and needs to be a negotiated peace within the region itself. It can’t be forced,” he told Sky News.

“We want Palestinian statehood. We desire it, and we want to make sure the circumstances can exist where that kind of long-term political solution can have the space to evolve and make sure that it can become a permanent circumstance that can bring peace to the entire region.

“But right now, today, we’ve got to focus on what will ease the suffering, and it is extreme, unwarranted suffering in Gaza that has to be the priority for us today.”

Consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine. I will make this solemn announcement before the United Nations General Assembly this coming September.… pic.twitter.com/VTSVGVH41I — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 24, 2025

Downing Street has faced growing pressure over its stance on Palestinian statehood since French President Emmanuel Macron made his country the first G7 nation to recognise sovereignty.

He said he would formalise the move at the UN General Assembly in September.

A raft of MPs are understood to have signed a letter due to be published later on Friday that will call on the UK to recognise Palestine.

Sir Keir has condemned the “unspeakable and indefensible” conditions in Gaza ahead of an emergency call with Mr Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday, but stopped short of following suit.

Sir Keir Starmer will hold emergency talks with German and French leaders on Friday (Leon Neal/PA)

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the UK “should be leading on this, not falling behind” while London’s Labour Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has also called for immediate recognition.

Emily Thornberry, Labour MP and chairwoman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said most of its members back the move, and the Trades Union Congress have called for formal recognition of Palestine “now”.

Some ministers have signalled a desire for hastened action, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting calling for recognition “while there’s still a state of Palestine left to recognise”.

Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the Government wants to recognise a Palestinian state “in contribution to a peace process”.

She told The Times: “A lot of people would argue that recognition on its own has a symbolic value that could send a strong message to the Israeli government.”

Sir Keir said on Thursday: “We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.

“A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.”

Charities operating in Gaza have said Israel’s blockade and ongoing military offensive are pushing people there towards starvation, warning that they are seeing their own workers and Palestinians “waste away”.

Israel says it allows enough aid into the territory and faults delivery efforts by UN agencies, which say they are hindered by Israeli restrictions and the breakdown of security.

We have published our report on the Israel-Palestine conflict. We have spent the last nine months taking evidence on the conflict. Today, we are calling on the Government to act more boldly and bravely to deliver a two-state solution. Read the report ⬇️https://t.co/c5JvtcPYQl pic.twitter.com/R7DQOJxoIm — Foreign Affairs Committee (@CommonsForeign) July 25, 2025

The Prime Minister said: “The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible.

“While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe.”

He said it is “hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times” but called again for all sides to engage “in good faith, and at pace” on a ceasefire and the release of all hostages.

“We strongly support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this,” he said.

Sir Keir will meet US President Donald Trump during his five-day private trip to Scotland, due to kick off on Friday.

US-led peace talks in Qatar were cut short on Thursday, with Washington’s special envoy Steve Witkoff accusing Hamas of a “lack of desire to reach a ceasefire”.

The deal under discussion is expected to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Aid supplies would be ramped up and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting truce.

Hamas-led militants based in Gaza abducted 251 people in the October 7 attack in 2023 that triggered the war and killed about 1,200 people.

Fewer than half of the 50 hostages still in Gaza are believed to be alive.

Israel’s war in Gaza has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. It does not distinguish between militants and civilians.

Macron said the recognition aligns with France’s historic support for a two-state solution and urged others to follow. “We must build the State of Palestine, guarantee its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the region,” he wrote in a public statement.

France will officially recognise the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Thursday. The announcement positions France as the first G7 nation and permanent UN Security Council member to make the move, increasing diplomatic pressure on the UK, Germany and other Western states.

The decision, long anticipated, comes amid escalating concern over mass starvation and civilian deaths in Gaza. International organisations estimate that more than 59,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s offensive began in October 2023. Aid groups and UN agencies say the humanitarian response is collapsing, with one in five children in Gaza City now malnourished and hundreds killed near aid centres.

The Palestinian Authority and Hamas welcomed the French decision. In a letter to Mahmoud Abbas, Macron promised formal recognition in September. PA official Hussein al-Sheikh said the move supported the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. Hamas called it “a step in the right direction” and urged other European countries to do the same.

The reaction from Israel and the United States was swift and negative. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move as “a reward for terror” and said it would “create another Iranian proxy.” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described it as “a disgrace.” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it was a “reckless decision” and “a slap in the face” to victims of Hamas’s October attack.

Macron’s announcement coincides with the withdrawal of Israeli and US delegations from ceasefire negotiations in Qatar. The US accused Hamas of “not acting in good faith,” while Hamas said it remained committed to talks. The breakdown comes as international pressure mounts for a resolution to the Gaza conflict.

In Europe, Macron’s decision has divided governments. While Spain, Ireland, Norway and Slovenia recognised Palestine in 2024, Germany remains opposed to unilateral recognition. German officials have argued that recognition should follow negotiations with Israel. The UK has said it supports Palestinian statehood but will act only “at the right time.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under increasing pressure from within his own party and Parliament. He is due to hold an emergency call with Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday to discuss Gaza. Starmer has maintained that recognition should come when it has “the greatest impact.”

Foreign Minister Peter Kyle reiterated the government’s position, saying recognition must be part of a peace process. “It needs to happen in a way that will be empowering and deliver the long-term peace and stability that Palestine needs,” he told the BBC.

Domestically, French politics are also split. Left-wing parties broadly supported Macron’s move. Jean-Luc Mélenchon called it a “moral victory.” Ecologists leader Marine Tondelier said it was “a major step,” though long overdue. Far-right figures, including Marine Le Pen, strongly opposed it, arguing it equated to recognising Hamas.

Analysts see Macron’s announcement as a strategic shift intended to reassert French leadership in Middle East diplomacy. According to Timo Miettinen, a Finnish expert in European politics, the decision “signals that France is not dependent on US or German foreign policy.”

Miettinen said the move may trigger a “domino effect,” encouraging other nations to follow. He also warned that it might leave countries like Finland, which has said it would act as part of a broader coalition, in an isolated position if they delay. “In the Nordic context, Finland is now at risk of being left alone,” he said.

France’s announcement precedes a UN ministerial conference on Palestine, set for 28–29 July. French officials say they hope the recognition will set a framework for broader engagement at the General Assembly in September, when world leaders are expected to discuss long-term resolutions to the conflict.

Meanwhile, conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. The UN’s refugee agency, UNRWA, said on Thursday that over 1,000 Palestinians had been killed near food distribution points in the past two months. Médecins Sans Frontières reported that one in four children and pregnant women are malnourished. Aid groups say they face severe Israeli restrictions and a lack of security guarantees to deliver supplies.

The Israeli government continues to deny claims of a siege and blames Hamas for obstructing aid. A spokesperson said, “We don’t need to be responsible to international law. It is our duty as a Jewish state to make sure there is no starvation in Gaza.”

Despite this, over 6,000 aid trucks remain stalled at the border, according to UN officials. The UN has repeatedly warned that current levels of aid are insufficient to prevent widespread starvation and disease.

HT