August 27, 2025 | 04:19 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - German Chancellor Frederick Merz has reaffirmed that his government will not support the recognition of Palestine as a state, maintaining Berlin’s long-standing position despite mounting international calls for change amid Israel’s war in Gaza.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Berlin alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Merz said Germany would not join allies such as Canada, Australia, and France in backing Palestinian statehood recognition at the upcoming UN General Assembly.
“The Canadian government and the Canadian Prime Minister are aware of the German federal government's position with regard to the possible recognition of Palestine as a state. We will not support this initiative,” Merz said, as quoted by Anadolu.
When asked whether the latest Israeli military strikes in Gaza, which targeted civilians, could alter Berlin’s stance, Merz was firm.
“We do not currently consider the conditions for state recognition to be met in any way, and as such, we remain divided on this issue. The events of the last few days and hours have not changed our stance,” he stressed.
Merz added that Germany would continue to hold this view if the issue arises at the UN General Assembly later this year.
“We will not follow this step if it appears on the United Nations General Assembly agenda in the late autumn. But once again, both governments are well aware of our differing views on this matter,” he said.
In recent months, Berlin has criticized Israel for blocking humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza and for expanding its military campaign into Gaza City.
However, Germany has stopped short of exerting stronger political or economic pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
While Berlin announced a partial freeze on arms exports that could be used in Gaza, it has refused to support EU proposals to suspend major trade agreements with Israel or sanction Israeli ministers.
Germany has consistently supported a two-state solution to the conflict, but insists that recognition of Palestinian statehood must come as part of a negotiated peace process, not through unilateral recognition.
Meanwhile, public sentiment in Germany appears to be shifting. A recent poll by public broadcaster ZDF showed that 60 percent of Germans favor recognizing Palestine as a state, compared with 22 percent opposed and 18 percent undecided. This growing domestic support contrasts with the Merz government’s reluctance to alter its policy.
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