By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL – On Friday, at a news conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said there is “no reason” to recognized the Palestinian Authority (PA) as a separate state. Scholz added: “There is no clarity about the national territory or about all other questions that are related to it.” The German chancellor did emphasize the need for “a negotiated solution between Israel and the Palestinians that amounts to a two-state solution.” Scholz underscored that the main priority is to achieve a “long-term ceasefire” while “ensuring that everyone involved, commits to the two-state solution.” Meanwhile, the Portuguese prime minister echoed Scholz’s position that his country will not initially move to recognize a Palestinian state. But he did say that Portugal had voted for Palestine to be recognized as a full member of the U.N. Earlier this week, Spain, Ireland and Norway announced they will recognize Palestine as a separate state, officially on May 28. Germany has been a staunch supporter of Israel in its fight against Hamas, going so far as to dismiss South Africa’s accusations of genocide it says Israel committed in Gaza with its case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Though the German government has said that Israel should adhere to international law – it has not gone so far as to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Germany approved $354 million worth of weapons exports to Israel last year, primarily after October 7 – it marks a tenfold increase over 2022. Meanwhile, Nicaragua accused Germany of being responsible for Israel’s genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza through its politics and supplying weapons to the Israeli government. Nicaragua requested the ICJ issue emergency measures for Germany to stop its arms exports to Israel and reverse its decision to suspend funding for the United Nations Refugee and Works (UNRWA) organization, accused by Israel of working for Hamas – though no evidence has been forthcoming from Israel to prove such an allegation. At the hearing at the ICJ, the German legal team attempted to try to convince the court that it hadn’t breached international law by supporting Israel and that it’s fulfilling its humanitarian obligations. Germany has been under major pressure worldwide for its support of Israel in Gaza while Scholz has reiterated that Germany has a special responsibility to Israel because of its Nazi history.
Photo : AA
