Germany regards recognition of a Palestinian state as a step more at the end of the process, its Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Thursday. However, he said such a process "must now begin." "Germany is convinced that in order to resolve the conflict permanently, a negotiated two-state solution is the only way to enable people on both sides to live in peace, security and dignity." Wadephul said according to a statement shared by the Federal Foreign Office ahead of the minister's visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories. He added that "the dying and suffering in the Gaza Strip has reached unfathomable dimensions." "In view of the open annexation threats from sections of the Israeli Government, a sharply rising number of countries, including European countries, are prepared to recognise a Palestinian state even without a prior negotiation process. The region and the Middle East peace process thus stand at a crossroads." Wadephul further said: "Germany, with our special responsibility for Israel, can and must not be indifferent to this." "... the most recent UN conference in New York showed that Israel is increasingly finding itself in a minority position." the German minister stated. Wadephul called on Israel to allow the UN and international relief organisations "safe access, and above all, to ensure safe and effective distribution." He added that Germany will participate in aid drops in the next few days. "Israel must take immediate, comprehensive and durable measures to remedy the disastrous situation in the Gaza Strip. Germany remains prepared to do everything in its power to help alleviate the suffering. Given the extremely dramatic situation, the dropping of relief supplies from the air, an operation in which Germany will take part in the coming days, is one way of ensuring that the urgently needed supplies reach those in need quickly." He also stressed that Germany "will continue to advocate that Hamas finally sets free the hostages," Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
