German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has hardened his tone towards the Israeli government. However, for now, recognizing Palestine is a step that Berlin cannot take.
Over the weekend, Hamas released videos showing Israeli hostages who are skin and bones. The people are still in the hands of Hamas - the organization designated as a terrorist organization by the US, EU, Israel and other countries, and responsible for the bloody attack on October 7, 2023.
At the same time, it is reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to completely occupy the Gaza Strip in order to free the remaining 50 hostages. And the Palestinian population there is suffering from hunger.
Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz is shocked by the footage. "Hamas is torturing hostages, terrorizing Israel and using its own population in the Gaza Strip as a shield," he told the Bild newspaper.
French President Emmanuel Macron described Hamas' actions as "unlimited inhumanity" in a post on social media. He stressed that the immediate release of all hostages still in Gaza was an "absolute priority" for his government. Merz, for his part, told Bild that "in the future, Hamas should not play any role in Gaza." Macron made a similar statement.
France and Germany are not united on the issue of Palestine
However, France and Germany are following different paths when it comes to recognizing the state of Palestine. Macron recently announced that he wants to take such a step in September at the UN General Assembly. Israel immediately condemned Paris's intentions, with Prime Minister Netanyahu saying it was a reward for terrorism.
However, both Britain and Canada want to join France, meaning that a total of three of the influential countries in the G-7 are ready to make such a move. Other EU countries have also expressed similar intentions. However, the federal government is not planning such a step for now - it believes that recognizing a Palestinian state will only make sense as a result of a negotiation process.
Is Palestine a state?
International law expert Aron Dumont explained to DW that in order for a state to be recognized as such, three main criteria must be met.
Firstly, this is a clearly delineated territory, secondly, a common people, and thirdly, a government that exercises state power. "Two of the three main criteria have been met. But as far as state power is concerned, it could be said that it does not yet exist for the state of Palestine. That's why there is no state yet."
International law experts are arguing over the definition of recognizing a state. Middle East expert Muriel Asseburg from the "Science and Politics" foundation told DW that the possible recognition of Palestine by other countries would not initially have any impact on the lives of people in the region. Because many countries currently maintain diplomatic relations with Palestine. We are talking about the Palestinian Authority, which is governed by 89-year-old Mahmoud Abbas, who is a controversial figure among Palestinians. Elections in the West Bank and East Jerusalem have not been held for 20 years.
Most countries maintain relations with the Palestinian Authority with its capital in Ramallah, and not with Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip and is considered a completely unacceptable partner as a terrorist organization.
Recognition will also be difficult because the borders between Israel and the Palestinian territories have not been clarified, as has the status of East Jerusalem. Israel de facto controls large areas of the West Bank that fall under the Palestinian Authority.
Political scientist Asenburg made the following analysis to DW: "Recognition of a Palestinian state would signal that we are not only promoting the two-state solution in the abstract, but we want to contribute to the fact that there is a Palestinian state alongside Israel. To this end, measures will also have to be taken to end the Israeli occupation."
Will Palestine become a full member of the UN?
149 of the 193 UN member states now recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. International law expert Dumont points out: "It cannot be said that if so many countries in the world recognize Palestine, it is a state". Palestine's full membership in the UN for now seems rather unlikely, Asseburg points out. "Full membership in the UN cannot happen for now, because a decision by the UN Security Council is needed for this purpose. It would require the consent of the US, and such cannot be expected."
Palestine has had observer status in the UN General Assembly since 2012, Asseburg explains. "Since Palestine has had this status, it can be a member of many other international organizations - such as the International Criminal Court." Observer status is considered a precursor to full UN membership.
Germany and its responsibility towards Israel
Meanwhile, pressure is growing on the German government to be critical of Israel. Following reports that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu intends to occupy the entire territory of Gaza, "Left" spokeswoman Lea Reisner called for: "Political pressure is needed, including on allies." According to Reisner, the German coalition government's current position towards Israel is "a testament to the failure of German foreign policy".
Demands for the recognition of Palestine are constantly being made, but so far the Federal Republic is far from such a move. Germany's special commitments to Israel because of the Holocaust - the murder of millions of Jews during the times of National Socialism - stand against it. This is where the acceptance of Israel's security as part of Germany's national interest comes from.
Federal Chancellor Merz has hardened his tone towards the Netanyahu government - he is insisting on a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and more humanitarian aid through Israel for the people there. At the same time, however, he is refraining from angering the partner country.
As Merz stated, the recognition of Palestine could crown the end of a process to find a solution with the separation of two states. For now, he does not see recognition as "the right step".