Germany’s Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, stated on Thursday that the recognition of a Palestinian state should be the culmination of a two-state solution negotiated process. However, he warned that Berlin would be compelled to respond to any unilateral actions, citing “annexation threats” from some Israeli ministers.
Wadephul made these remarks before his departure for a trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories, which Berlin has framed as a fact-finding mission amid growing international concern over starvation in Gaza.
His comments represent Germany’s strongest warning to date, as Western nations increase their efforts to pressure Israel. In recent weeks, the UK, Canada, and France have all indicated they may be ready to recognize a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territory at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Nevertheless, critics argue that Germany’s response remains overly cautious. They believe it is shaped by a lasting sense of historical guilt for the Holocaust and strengthened by pro-Israel sentiment in influential media circles, which weakens the collective ability of Western nations to apply meaningful pressure on Israel.
In his statement, Wadephul reiterated Germany’s long-standing position that a lasting resolution to the Gaza conflict can only be achieved through a negotiated two-state solution, where a Palestinian state coexists peacefully alongside Israel.
“In light of open annexation threats from parts of the Israeli government, a growing number of countries—including many in Europe—are now prepared to recognize a Palestinian state even without a prior negotiation process. The region and the Middle East peace process are therefore at a crossroads,” Wadephul said. “That process must begin now. Should unilateral steps be taken, Germany too will be compelled to respond.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government includes far-right parties that advocate for the complete conquest of Gaza and the re-establishment of Jewish settlements there. Two senior government ministers also voiced support on Thursday for annexing the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
The death toll from the nearly two-year war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza surpassed 60,000 this week. Health authorities in Gaza report that a rising number of civilians are dying from starvation and malnutrition. Images of emaciated children have shocked the world, intensifying criticism of Israel’s restrictions on aid entering the enclave.
Germany, along with the United States, has long been one of Israel’s staunchest allies and largest arms suppliers. German officials explain that their approach to Israel is guided by a special responsibility, known as the “Staatsraison,” which stems from the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust. They maintain that diplomatic back-channels are more effective than public statements.
Pro-Israel German Media
Germany’s largest media group, Axel Springer, which owns the best-selling daily Bild and other publications such as Welt and Politico, has a specific pro-Israel commitment written into its core corporate principles. This clause obliges Axel Springer and its employees to maintain a pro-Israel editorial stance.
For instance, Bild published an article on Thursday condemning a “hunger campaign” against Israel and moves by Western countries to increase pressure on the nation. The article argued that these actions had prolonged the war in Gaza by encouraging Hamas to leave ceasefire talks and praised Germany for not taking such steps. Another Bild story on Thursday denounced a “campaign designed to morally destroy Israel.”
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also historically been pro-Israel. In February, he stated he would find a way for Netanyahu to visit Germany without being arrested under an International Criminal Court warrant.
However, the tone in Berlin has shifted recently, mirroring a change in public opinion. A poll released on June 4 showed that 63% of Germans believe Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has gone too far.
On Monday, Merz indicated that measures such as suspending the European Union pact governing relations with Israel were now on the table to increase pressure on the country over the “catastrophic” situation in Gaza. The EU’s executive body recommended on Monday to limit Israeli access to its flagship research funding program, but the proposal does not yet have enough support to pass, with heavyweight Germany remaining notably undecided.
