Ahead of a high-level conference on the two-state solution hosted at the United Nations headquarters, German Green Party officials have called on Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to take a more direct role in efforts to achieve peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Green Party co-leader Franziska Brantner, in statements to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, urged the Chancellor to actively participate in the process, rather than merely offering support. She specifically requested that Merz personally attend the New York conference, a move she said should not be delegated to Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who is scheduled to represent Germany at the United Nations.
The conference, taking place as part of the UN General Assembly week, aims to reinvigorate discussions toward a two-state solution. French President Emmanuel Macron is anticipated to formally announce France’s recognition of Palestine as a state during the event. Canada and Belgium have also signaled their intention to do so. Several other nations, including the United Kingdom and Portugal, had previously indicated readiness to make the declaration.
Brantner emphasized the need for significant pressure to be applied to Hamas and its affiliates to relinquish power in the Gaza Strip and immediately release all hostages. Simultaneously, she stated that Israel must be compelled to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza, citing its severity and attendant actions.
While Germany officially supports a two-state solution – advocating for the peaceful coexistence of Israel and a Palestinian state – Berlin maintains that recognition of a Palestinian state should be a conclusion to a political process, rather than an initial step. This position has been traditionally held by successive German governments.
Chancellor Merz will not be travelling to New York this week, as the German Bundestag is scheduled to debate the 2026 budget.