German FM says recognition of Palestinian state now would send ‘wrong signal’

By Lazar Berman

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5 June 2025, 4:58 pm

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar (left) and his German counterpart Johann Wadephul speak at a press conference in Berlin, Germany, June 5, 2025. (Shalev Man)

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says that now is not the time to recognize a Palestinian state.

“Recognition of Palestine would be the wrong signal at this point in time,” says Wadephul in a Berlin press conference alongside Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

France is considering recognizing a Palestinian state this month.

Hamas “must release the hostages, and Hamas must lay down arms immediately and without any conditions,” says Wadephul, adding that the Gaza war must end.

“Israel has the right to defend itself, as every other country around the world would do as well,” he stresses.

Wadephul emphasizes that there “must be a plan for the day after” Hamas in Gaza.

Referring to the fledgling Gaza Humanitarian Fund initiative, Wadephul expresses concern for Gazans “who don’t know where they’ll get food and medicine.” He laments the long distances to distribution sites and the fact that some civilians were killed. “That happens far too often.”

Wadephul says that “no one can doubt that the Iranian nuclear program poses a vital threat to Israel. We share the conviction that Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.”

He also blasts calls from Israeli ministers for the annexation of the West Bank and expansion of settlements.

In his prepared statement in English, Sa’ar says that “Israel is serious in our will and our intent to achieve a deal. A deal that will lead to a ceasefire.”

He calls on countries like Germany to exert pressure on Hamas so it will agree to a deal.

Pressure on Israel and threats of sanctions, argues Sa’ar, “will cause Hamas to harden its stance.”

Sa’ar says that two humanitarian efforts are underway, the UN channel and the new “American initiative.”

“We believe that expanding it will help shorten the war,” he says. “It will hurt Hamas’s economy. It will hurt its stronghold over the people of Gaza.”

“We already see, through public protests in Gaza, we see the people began to express their desire to see the end of Hamas’s cruel rule over Gaza,” says Sa’ar. “We have not seen such images in the past.”