On Monday, September 22, the United Nations General Assembly will have a decisive moment on the East River of New York. France, Canada and Belgium intend to recognize Palestine as a state, and the United Kingdom is likely to take steps. The goal is to put pressure on Israel to end the Gaza war and start a new peace process.
Of the 193 UN members, around 150 have already recognized Palestine as a state.
On the other hand, the US rejects recognition strictly, as Israel. Its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has reduced such a step as a “reward for terror” for the radical Islamist group Hamas – which has been classified by Israel, US, EU and others as a terrorist organization – which led the terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which led to a war that led to the Gaza.
For the Palestinian Authority, with his long time with President Mahmud Abbas, the discovery will be a reputation win by important states and a diplomatic defeat for Israel, especially with the struggle in Gaza.
Germany looking for ‘two-state solution’
The German government will not “do” in short term, as it officially puts it. “We won’t join this initiative,” said Chancellor Frederick Merz from the Governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in August, when Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited.
However, what is the argument of Merz formally in nature. “We do not consider the conditions to be fulfilled in any way for the recognition of the state. The recognition should be the final stage in a pece process as a result of the result in a two-state solution,” Heer said.
The difficulty is that the two-state solution is nowhere. According to the Hamas-led Gajan Health Ministry, an independent Palestinian state with Israel as well as an independent Palestinian state has practically reduced to start a war in Gaza, who has so far killed about 65,000 people. Critics argue that the German government is carrying forward this unrealistic condition for recognition to avoid making decisions only.
Fight against Antisemitism Key for Merz
When it comes to Israel and Palestinian state, the German government has to face a special dilemma. As a result of the 6 million Jews killed during the Nazi era, Berlin felt a special responsibility for the safety of Israel and even declared it a case of the state. ,
For German Chancellor, this is not clearly just empty rhetoric. Earlier in September, during a speech of reopening an synagogue in Munich, which was destroyed by the Nazis, he said as the Merz Fown Back Tears, “On October 7, we are experiencing a new wave, in words and deeds, in words and deeds, on the universe, on social media.”
Nevertheless, Merz has tried to separate the fight against Antisementism, from its assessment of Israeli policies in Gaza, from Israeli military functions.
He Hey rapidly criticized Israel’s military functions and resulting human destruction, and in summer, Israel’s export of weapons that could be used in Gaza. In a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Merz said, “Criticizing the policies of the Israeli government should be possible; it may be necessary. It may not be necessary. It does not have dissatisfaction or dissatisfaction for friendship.”
European Union, Civil Society called Germany to take action on Israel
However, the pressure on the German government is increasing to take a strong stand. The European Union’s foreign affairs head Kaza Kalas has called upon Germany to participate in sanctions against Israel, and European Commission Chairman Ursula suggested Layen that the European Union has suspended trade with Israel.
The Center-Rongat CDU in the German Parliament and Chairman of the CSU Union parties, Jens Spanish, said it reminds him of the dark chapter in German history. “What will be the result will be the result when it comes to Israel and Gaza,” said on the German Public Broadcaster ZDF, Spanish warned, “balance in Germany is lost very quickly and it suggests in anti -protest.”
Hence the pressure is growing on the domestic front. The Center-from Social Democrats (SPD) in the coalition government is definitely open to the idea of sanctions, and the opposition Green Party has moved even further. Its co-leader, Franziska Brenton, told the German press agency DPA that Merz and Foreign Minister Johan Wadeful, so CDU, must decide: “Are they in favor with those who are working for all people in Israel and Palestine?”
A coalition of dozens of civil society organizations has introduced a petition to the German government to follow its criticism of Israel with action.
Survey: German majority in favor of recognition
Palestine’s state recognition, however, is another case. And at this point, the Chancellor appears to be standing, even if he is clearly most of the German population against him. In a survey conducted by the German Institute for Public Opinion Research (Forsa) in early August, 54% were in favor of the reaction, while 31% were against.
Meanwhile, they are shrinking to countries opposing recognition in the United Nations. Search as France as France as close colleagues of Germany, changing the United Kingdom and Canada sides, Berlin finds himself forward on defensive.
Meanwhile, the US, where the United Nations Headquarters is located, has denied the entry of Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmood Abbas. So even though various western countries were to recognize Palestine as a state in New York, Abbas will not have any platform there.
This article was original in German.