Conflicts: Heusgen: Federal Government should recognize the state of Palestine

The former chairman of the Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen, calls on the Federal Government to recognize a Palestinian state in view of the suffering in the Gaza Strip. “It would be perceived as a particularly strong gesture worldwide because Germany is rightly considered a loyal friend of Israel,” Heusgen writes in a guest contribution for the editorial network Germany.

“It will not change the situation at short notice, but will send a strong signal of solidarity with the Palestinian people if we join the majority of the state,” said Chancellor Angela Merkel’s former top diplomat and long-time consultant.

Several states, including France, Canada and Australia, want to recognize a Palestinian state in September. The federal government has made it clear several times that this is not an option for Germany for the time being. The recognition is seen “as one of the final steps” on the way to a two -state solution, said government spokesman Stefan Kornelius at the end of July.

Heusgen fears development of the “Apartheidstate”

From the point of view of Heusgen, fears that Israel will develop into a “apartheid state”. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects a Palestinian state and supports the settler power in West Bank. “All diplomatic attempts to bring the Israeli government to give in have not caused anything.” Israel’s security is German State Räson. “But it is also part of Israeli security that the country does not make enemies worldwide through the excessive use of military violence and breaking international law.”

Netanyahu rejects a two -state solution – just like the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip. A number of EU countries, especially in Eastern and Southeast Europe, recognized a state of Palestine years ago. Around a month ago, France’s President Emmanuel Macron was the first western major power to announce such an advance.