On July 31, 2025, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that Germany would take action against any unilateral moves in the Palestinian territories, particularly in response to “annexation threats” from certain Israeli ministers. Speaking ahead of a fact-finding mission to Israel and the Palestinian territories, Wadephul emphasized that recognition of a Palestinian state should ideally follow negotiations for a two-state solution but cautioned that unilateral actions would prompt a German response.

This statement reflects Germany’s strongest stance yet amid growing international pressure on Israel, driven by the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the death toll from nearly two years of conflict with Hamas has exceeded 60,000, with starvation and malnutrition claiming increasing numbers of civilian lives. Western nations, including Britain, Canada, and France, have signaled their intent to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September 2025, highlighting a shift in global sentiment.

Wadephul underscored the urgency of resuming the Middle East peace process, warning that annexation threats from Israel’s far-right coalition members, including calls for conquering Gaza and re-establishing Jewish settlements in the West Bank, could force Germany and other European nations to act independently of negotiations. “The region stands at a critical juncture,” he noted, signaling Berlin’s readiness to respond if Israel pursues unilateral policies.

Germany’s position is complicated by its historical commitment to Israel, rooted in the “Staatsraison” principle tied to the Nazi Holocaust, which has long made Germany one of Israel’s closest allies and a major arms supplier. This stance is reinforced by influential media outlets like Axel Springer’s Bild, which maintains a pro-Israel editorial policy and recently criticized Western pressure on Israel as emboldening Hamas. However, public opinion in Germany is shifting, with a June 2025 poll showing 63% of Germans believe Israel’s military actions in Gaza have gone too far.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, traditionally pro-Israel, has also hinted at a tougher approach, suggesting measures like suspending parts of the EU-Israel pact to pressure Israel over Gaza’s “catastrophic” conditions. While the EU has proposed limiting Israel’s access to its research funding program, Germany’s support for such measures remains uncertain, reflecting its cautious balancing act between historical obligations and growing humanitarian concerns.

As Germany navigates this complex landscape, Wadephul’s warning signals a potential shift in Berlin’s approach, aligning with broader Western efforts to address the Gaza crisis and push for a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.