German Chancellor Angela Merkel has made it clear to her EU colleagues that Germany will not join the ranks of EU countries supporting recognizing a Palestinian state.

“Germany remains committed to supporting and promoting the two state solution, and unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state at this time would not be helpful in achieving this goal”, she stated. “The two state solution is a difficult and complex issue, which can only be resolved by direct negotiations between the sides, and any step that could hinder such negotiations would be counter-productive”. “Since unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state at this time would not contribute towards achieving the desired solution, Germany opposes such a step”, she said.

Sweden became the first and so far only EU member to recognize a Palestinian state. The British and Spanish parliaments have passed non-binding resolutions calling on their respective governments to follow suit, but neither government has expressed its intention of doing so.

Other EU parliaments, including France are debating similar resolutions, but so far, none has come to a vote.

By Yoni Ariel/www.jerusalemonline.com