Germany’s Wadephul says too soon to recognize Palestinian state, but 2-state process can’t wait

Germany Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says it is premature to recognize a Palestinian state, but the two-state process must begin now, warning Berlin could respond to “unilateral steps.”

“A negotiated two-state solution remains the only path that can offer people on both sides a life in peace, security, and dignity,” he says in a statement issued shortly before leaving for Israel and the West Bank.

“For Germany, the recognition of a Palestinian state comes more at the end of that process. But such a process must begin now.”

He says the recent UN conference on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — boycotted by the US and Israel — showed that “Israel is finding itself increasingly in the minority.”

“In view of the open threats of annexation by some in the Israeli government, a growing number of European countries are ready to recognize a state of Palestine without previous negotiations.”