While Canada, France, Britain, and Australia line up to recognize Palestine at the UN next month, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared Berlin will not join the initiative, saying conditions for statehood remain unmet.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz drew a sharp line in global diplomacy Tuesday, announcing that Germany will not support recognition of a Palestinian state at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
Speaking alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Berlin, Merz said Germany’s stance was “clear and unchanged.”
“We will not join this initiative. We don’t see the requirements met,” Merz stated firmly.
Carney, by contrast, has pledged to recognize the “State of Palestine” in September, provided the Palestinian Authority meets benchmarks on governance and security. His position mirrors similar announcements by France, Britain, and Australia, signaling growing Western momentum behind Palestinian recognition.
Germany, however, continues to argue that premature recognition would be “counterproductive.” Merz’s predecessor, Olaf Scholz, echoed the same caution last year, insisting the time was not ripe despite other European nations moving ahead.
By standing apart, Berlin reinforces its traditional position that Palestinian statehood must be tied to direct negotiations, credible reforms within the Palestinian Authority, and ironclad security guarantees for Israel.
The divide highlights an emerging rift within Western allies: some eager to push symbolic recognition at the UN, others—like Germany—warning it will only embolden extremists while weakening chances for a real peace deal.
