Berlin (dpa) – Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (photo) has criticised the Israeli military offensive in Gaza City as the wrong course of action and called for the launch of a two-state process with the Palestinians. “For Germany, recognition of a Palestinian state comes more at the end of the process, but this process must begin now,” Wadephul stressed before departing for the UN General Debate in New York.
“A Palestinian state is our goal. We support the two-state solution. There is no other way,” the foreign minister said. But this had to be achieved through negotiations, he added.
“No one should pursue a policy here of trying to break through the wall headfirst. The path of dialogue, compromise and negotiation remains the difficult, laborious middle road. But this is the path that the Federal Republic of Germany supports,” said Wadephul.
This afternoon, Wadephul is due to attend a conference organised by France and Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening the two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.
The Federal Government has long called for a negotiated two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians, under which Jews and Palestinians would live peacefully side by side in two separate states. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Islamist Hamas both reject this.
Wadephul warns against annexation of occupied territories
“What the region needs now is an immediate ceasefire, far more humanitarian aid for the people in Gaza, and the swift, unconditional release of the hostages,” Wadephul demanded. He described the Israeli offensive on Gaza City as the wrong path.
“Any steps towards the illegal annexation of occupied territories further undermine the chance of reaching a sustainable resolution to the conflict,” he warned.
On the eve of the UN General Debate with world leaders, more countries are expected on Monday to recognise a Palestinian state. In addition to France, Belgium and New Zealand have announced or hinted at recognition, against Israel’s opposition. Britain, Canada and Australia took this largely symbolic step on Sunday, becoming the first major Western economies to do so.
