Overview

• Heusgen argues in a guest essay for the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland that German recognition would be a powerful signal of solidarity because the country is viewed as a loyal friend of Israel.
• He warns Israel risks evolving into an apartheid state and criticizes large‑scale strikes in Gaza and settlement expansion in the West Bank as violations of international law.
• The federal government reiterates that recognition is not on the table for now and should come at the end of talks toward two states, and Germany did not join a 21‑nation call to withdraw new West Bank settlement plans.
• France, Canada and Australia have said they plan to extend recognition in September, adding external pressure on Berlin as more countries move toward coordinated steps.
• The intervention arrives as German politics roil over Middle East policy, including a recently announced partial halt of arms exports to Israel that has drawn criticism from within the governing camp.