Chancellor Merz Says Germany Will Not Recognize Palestinian Country In The Near Future

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday Berlin had no intention of recognizing an independent Palestinian state "in the near future," despite growing pressure to change its stance on Israel's brutal war policy and ethnic cleansing of Gaza.

"The important thing now is to implement this peace plan step by step, and none of us know what the outcome will be today," Chancellor Merz told a news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.

"Therefore, the federal government, unlike other European countries, has refrained from recognizing the Palestinian state at this early stage. We will also not do so in the near future," he continued.

"The German federal government remains of the opinion that the recognition of the Palestinian state should come at the end - not at the beginning - of such a process (peace negotiations)," Chancellor Merz added.

The German leader further reiterated, "The two-state solution can only be achieved through negotiations."

Chancellor Merz said they were trying "towards a new Middle East destination" where the Israeli state would also be recognized.

"We believe that the prospect of forming a Palestinian state alongside Israel may offer the best prospects for this future," he added.

As a staunch supporter of Israel during the genocide in Gaza, the German government has faced growing public criticism of its unconditional support for Israel.

In October, nearly 200 intellectuals, law scholars, and foreign policy experts urged the far-right government to end Israel's "blind solidarity" policy and the suppression of pro-Palestinian voices in the country.

They signed a new policy paper, which urged a total reshuffle of Germany's pro-Israeli stance, calling for decisions rooted in international law, instead of historical guilt.