The German government has decided to back a joint proposal by France and Saudi Arabia for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to sources familiar with the plan. Germany is expected to vote in favor of the New York Declaration in a United Nations resolution scheduled for adoption on Friday.
The declaration, which envisions the establishment of a Palestinian state, also addresses the right of return for Palestinian refugees. However, Berlin has emphasized that this right must be subject to negotiations and clarified that, unlike France and the UK, Germany will not immediately recognize Palestinian statehood.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the recognition push as “reckless.”
The resolution also condemns the killings and hostage-taking by Hamas in October 2023 and demands that Hamas no longer govern Gaza.
At the same time, the German government condemned Israel’s unprecedented attack on Qatar’s capital, joining a chorus of strong European reactions.
