BERLIN, July 31, 2025 (WAFA) – German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Thursday that Germany is convinced that a negotiated two-state solution remains the only way to enable both sides to live in peace, security, and dignity, and to resolve the conflict sustainably.

He added in a press statement: "For Germany, recognition of a Palestinian state is likely to come at the end of the negotiation process, but such a process must begin now. Germany will not deviate from this goal and will also be forced to respond to unilateral steps."

Wadephul explained that the UN conference in New York demonstrated that Israel is increasingly finding itself in a minority position. Given the public threats of annexation by some members of the Israeli government, a significantly increasing number of countries, including European countries, are prepared to recognize a Palestinian state, even without a prior negotiation process.

The region and the Middle East peace process are at a crossroads, and Germany, given its special responsibility towards Israel, cannot and should not remain aloof from this issue. He said that the death toll and suffering in the Gaza Strip have reached unimaginable proportions. At the same time, Israel must provide immediate, comprehensive, and sustainable relief in light of the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip. Germany remains fully prepared to provide support to alleviate the suffering.

He continued that, given the extremely tragic situation, airdropping relief supplies, in which Germany will participate in the coming days, is also a means of quickly delivering urgent relief supplies to those in need. At the same time, intensive work must continue to rebuild the existing humanitarian land route, which airdrops cannot replace, as relief supplies can only reach people in sufficient quantities by land.

Wadephul urged the Israeli government to allow the United Nations and international relief agencies safe access, and, most importantly, safe and effective distribution.

K.T