Portrait of Friedrich Merz
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Friedrich Merz on Palestine

Two-State Advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Friedrich Merz firmly supports a negotiated two-state solution but rejects immediate recognition of a Palestinian state.

Key Points

  • He affirmed that the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel offers the best prospect for future peace.

  • Merz stated Germany has no intention of recognizing a Palestinian state “in the foreseeable future,” insisting it must follow negotiations.

  • His party unanimously adopted a motion calling to discontinue support for UNRWA pending comprehensive reforms related to antisemitism clauses.

Summary

Friedrich Merz, as German Chancellor, expresses a core commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, viewing this two-state solution as the most promising path to lasting peace, security, and good neighbourliness in the region. This conviction is frequently reiterated, though he strongly ties its realization to the successful conclusion of peace negotiations, underscoring that recognition should come at the end, not the beginning, of the process. He recently reaffirmed support for the US peace plan following a ceasefire in Gaza and emphasized the need for Palestinian Authority reforms to play a constructive post-war role.

Despite advocating for the ultimate goal of a Palestinian state, Merz has explicitly stated that his government has no intention of recognizing one “in the foreseeable future,” placing Germany at odds with some European peers who have moved to recognize statehood sooner. His firm support for Israel's security, rooted in Germany's historical responsibility, remains a central foreign policy pillar, leading to a difficult balancing act amid the conflict in Gaza. This stance has also involved urging Israel to halt settlement construction in the West Bank while simultaneously continuing to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza and restructuring funding to organizations like UNRWA.

Key Quotes

“What matters now is implementing this peace plan step by step, and none of us knows today what the outcome will be. Because this is the case, the federal government, unlike other European states, has refrained from recognising a Palestinian state at this early stage. We will not do so in the foreseeable future either…”

“Our conviction is that the prospective establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel presumably offers the best prospect for this future,”

Frequently Asked Questions

Friedrich Merz is a firm advocate for a negotiated two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. However, he maintains a conditional stance, refusing to recognize a Palestinian state until it is the conclusion, not the starting point, of successful peace negotiations.

The sources indicate a consistent position from Merz, who has stated that Germany will not recognize a Palestinian state in the “foreseeable future.” This aligns with his view that recognition must follow, not precede, a comprehensive peace agreement.

Merz voiced strong support for the US-led peace initiative aimed at achieving a ceasefire and a post-war order that includes a Palestinian state. He stressed that after securing the release of hostages, the next phase must permanently remove the basis for Hamas's terror.