RAMALLAH, December 4, 2025 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas received a phone call on Saturday from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during which they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and peoples.
They also discussed the latest political developments and the situation in Palestine, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as well as ways to bolster regional and international efforts to end the war and achieve a just and lasting peace.
President Abbas opened the call by welcoming the German Chancellor, recalling their important meeting recently held in Sharm El-Sheikh during the signing ceremony of the peace plan presented by US President Donald Trump.
He expressed deep appreciation for Germany's longstanding positions in support of international law and the two-state solution, and its rejection of settlements, annexation, and displacement policies.
He also expressed his gratitude to Germany for its continued political, economic, and humanitarian support for Palestine, including support for building Palestinian state institutions, providing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, supporting UNRWA, and Germany's role in organizing the Gaza Reconstruction Conference in partnership with Egypt and other countries.
President Abbas also thanked Germany for its support of the New York Declaration and the international efforts stemming from it. He reiterated the constants of the Palestinian position, explaining that the Palestinian leadership condemned, from the outset, the killing or capture of civilians, including what Hamas did on October 7. He stressed the necessity of ending Hamas’s rule in the Gaza Strip, handing over its weapons, and ensuring Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Strip in accordance with the second phase of President Trump’s plan.
He further pointed out that Palestine has already recognized the State of Israel and remain committed to this recognition, and that the State of Palestine adheres to the two-state solution based on international law, so that an independent State of Palestine can live alongside the State of Israel in security and peace.
President Abbas emphasized the State of Palestine's categorical rejection of anti-Semitism and all forms of racism, hatred, and violence, affirming that they are completely incompatible with the values of the Palestinian people and their national and humanitarian principles.
He briefed the German Chancellor on the steps taken by the State of Palestine to implement its commitments under the comprehensive reform program agreed upon with the European Union and the United States of America, which includes reforming and modernizing school curricula according to UNESCO standards, establishing a unified social welfare system, abolishing the law on prisoner payments, and preparing to hold general elections as soon as the war ends and the appropriate conditions are met.
President Abbas noted that municipal elections are scheduled for April 16 and is simultaneously working on drafting a transitional constitution and a modern law for political parties that will allow participation only for those who adhere to international obligations and resolutions of international legitimacy, thus enshrining the principle of one state, one law, and one legitimate armed force.
He reiterated that Palestinians seek a modern, democratic, and demilitarized Palestinian state that believes in the peaceful transfer of power and political pluralism.
The President also affirmed to Advisor Mertz that the State of Palestine welcomed President Trump’s plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2803, and that the priority now is implementing this plan in order to stop the war, end the bloodshed, alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and prevent forced displacement.
He emphasized that the next step must be the implementation of the second phase of the plan, which is based on Hamas and other factions surrendering their weapons to the Palestinian state and Israel’s complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the entry of the Palestinian Administrative Committee and police, the deployment of the initial stabilization force, and the commencement of a structured and effective reconstruction process.
He stressed the necessity of taking parallel steps in the West Bank simultaneously to halt the undermining of the two-state solution, foremost among them: stopping colonist violence, halting settlement expansion and annexation policies, and releasing withheld Palestinian tax revenues, given their profound impact on economic and financial stability and the Palestinian government's ability to fulfill its obligations to its citizens.
The President briefed his German counterpart on the ongoing work and dialogue with President Trump's team to implement the aforementioned steps within a coordinated international framework that guarantees an end to the war and the implementation of the two-state solution in accordance with international law and the end of the occupation, as a prerequisite for achieving comprehensive peace in the region.
President Abbas affirmed his commitment to working with Germany and with Chancellor Merz personally to achieve a just and lasting peace, emphasizing that there is no alternative to peace between the Palestinian and Israeli peoples. He further expressed his deep appreciation for Germany's central role in supporting peace and stability in the region.
At the end of the call, both sides agreed to continue their coordination and joint consultations in the coming period.
Y.S/M.N
