German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany will not join the initiative by Western allies to recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly next month. Merz stated in a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who recently declared Canada’s intention to recognize Palestine following similar moves by France and the UK, that the German federal government’s position is clear regarding the possibility of recognizing Palestine. He added that Canada is aware of this and that Germany will not join the initiative as it believes the conditions have not been met. Germany considers recognition of the Palestinian state as one of the final steps towards a two-state solution allowing Israelis and Palestinians to live peacefully side by side.

Merz confirmed that Germany will not follow Canada and France at the UN General Assembly, noting that recent events in the Gaza Strip have not changed this stance. Germany expressed shock over the killing of journalists, rescue workers, and other civilians in an Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital in Gaza. The German Foreign Ministry stated on X platform that the attack must be investigated and called on Israel to allow immediate access for independent foreign media and to provide protection for journalists working in Gaza.