The initiative by French President Emmanuel Macron to recognize the State of Palestine has drawn criticism from within Germany’s largest opposition group, the CDU/CSU fractions. Jürgen Hardt, the parliamentary group’s spokesperson for foreign policy, emphasized that recognizing Palestine as an independent state should be a concluding step in the Middle East peace process, contingent upon resolving the legal status of Jerusalem and constitutional questions. He argued that such a recognition would not bring closer the goal of two equal, democratic states – a democratic, Jewish state of Israel and a Palestinian, democratic state of Palestine – and would likely be viewed as a symbolic gesture and an affront within Israel.
Macron announced plans to formally recognize the State of Palestine alongside approximately 150 other nations, with the formal recognition expected during the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York this September. Discussions regarding the evolving situation in Gaza were scheduled to take place between Macron and the leaders of Germany and Great Britain, Friedrich Merz and Keir Starmer, this Friday. The announcement has already faced strong objections from both Israel and the United States.
Hardt highlighted that maintaining a productive partnership with the Palestinian Authority (PA) does not necessarily require state recognition, noting that Germany is already a significant financial supporter of the PA.
However, the decision has garnered support from other political factions within Germany. Sahra Wagenknecht, leader of the BSW party, characterized Macron’s declaration as “a remarkable decision” and urged Germany to follow suit. She voiced concern that the German government’s current Israel policy is leading to increasing isolation.
Wagenknecht further asserted that the German government bears “co-responsibility for war crimes and deaths from hunger in Gaza” due to continued arms deliveries to Israel. She called for the SPD party to either enact a significant shift in its Middle East policy or consider leaving the government, concluding with a warning that “a genocide is imminent in Gaza”.