Co-chairs,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me start by thanking France and Saudi Arabia for convening this important conference.

Our convening today takes place against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza, raging for more than 20 months now. Nothing can be a stronger, more pressing reminder of the need to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to take action towards peace and the two-State solution.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains utterly inacceptable. Hostages, including seven German citizens, are still in Hamas’s captivity. The man-made hunger crisis afflicting civilians in Gaza is especially unsettling. All this will have irreversible consequences for generations.

Germany therefore demands immediate, safe, rapid, unhindered and sustained access by the UN and humanitarian organisations, an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of the hostages. Now!

More than 600 trucks are waiting in Al-Arish at the Egyptian border alone and Germany committed up to 350 million US-Dollars in humanitarian assistance since October 2023 to operations in the Palestinian territories.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Germany will always be unbreakably committed towards the security of the state of Israel and its people.

And it is our firm conviction that ultimately only a two-State solution with a Palestinian state existing side by side in peace and security will guarantee Israel’s existence as a Jewish and democratic state. Or to put it in other words: all people in the region have to be able to live without fear and in dignity!

After the horrendous terrorist attack of Hamas on 7 October and the brutal war that followed since 20 months, one thing is clear: Managing the conflict is no longer an option. We finally need to solve it; the suffering of people has to end. We therefore appreciate that discussions on the Day After in Gaza are a key part of this conference.

As Germany, we suggest the following:

First, Hamas must neither govern Gaza, nor be a threat to Israel. For this reason, we stand ready to help providing security by concrete measures, including through EU missions such as EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL Copps, and support to the United States Security Coordinator for Israel and Palestinian Authority. We do this in cash and in kind.

Second, we welcomed the Arab plan for the Day After. Any day-after plan needs local Palestinian and Arab ownership. Gaza belongs to the Palestinians und must be rebuilt.

Third, we state loud and clear that the Palestinian Authority as sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people must play the key role in the future governance arrangement. For this reason, let me confirm that Germany stands ready to play an important role in the reconstruction of Gaza and supports the international efforts of Egypt and other partners. We are considering to co-convene a reconstruction conference soon after a cease-fire is achieved.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

it is our clear policy to protect the viability of the two-State solution. We push back against any attempt to weaken or destroy it – be it on the ground or in the political sphere.

For this reason, three legal arguments in line with longstanding EU positions are key to our policy:

First: We do not and will not recognise any changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed upon by the parties.

Second: We consider Israeli settlements in the occupied territories unlawful and a serious obstacle to peace.

Third: We respect the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024 and act in line with its stipulations.

Ultimately, we want to see an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state, existing side by side in peace and security with Israel.

Two remarks:
- this state needs to be built, not just declared.
- the building of this state has to be made possible, not impossible.

For this reason, we contribute every single day, in cash and in kind, to building the foundations of the future Palestinian state:

First: The total value of our ongoing bilateral development cooperation with the Palestinian Authority amounts to more than one billion US-dollars in total. We work for better institutions, efficient Palestinian municipalities, and improved water services and infrastructure.

Second, we strengthen the Palestinian economy through education, vocational training and work programmes and we call on Israel to release the tax revenues which belong to the PA under the provisions of the Paris protocol.

Third: We support civil society, peacebuilding, dialogue, and shared-society initiatives that pave the way for a better understanding of both societies. Joint narratives for peace are more important than ever.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

even if it seems like a very remote perspective while there is war in Gaza and while there are very negative trends in the West Bank: A two-State solution must be negotiated by Israel and the Palestinians.

As Germany, we have said to recognise a Palestinian state rather at the end of such negotiations. This is still our position, but we do see that Israeli policies are currently pointing in the opposite direction. This is utterly wrong and not serving Israel’s long-term security interests.

We therefore urge Israel to engage in the political process for a two-State solution, which is launched with this conference today. This is the way to achieve lasting peace and lasting security.

Thank you!