German foreign minister tones down Palestinian recognition talk on West Bank trip

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul sought to tone down previous comments about his country's position on Palestinian statehood during a trip to the West Bank on Friday, saying Germany had no immediate plans to recognise a Palestinian state.

Wadephul's comment followed sharp criticism from Israeli officials over his earlier suggestion, before he left for the trip, that Germany could respond to any unilateral Israeli actions with recognition of a Palestinian state. 

After meeting Israel's foreign minister, prime minister and president on Thursday evening, Wadephul explained on Friday that Germany did not plan to recognise a Palestinian state immediately, "as that is one of the final steps to be taken" as part of a two-state solution.

Wadephul's attempt to clarify his remarks highlights Germany's longstanding difficulty in taking a clear position on the issue, caught between growing international pressure to hold Israel accountable for its actions and Germany's own post-Holocaust commitment to ensuring Israel's security.

He called on Israel to ensure safe access for United Nations agencies to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, saying the current restrictions were worsening the crisis. 

"The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza must end now," Wadephul said, stressing that aid distribution through the UN had long worked effectively and needed to resume without obstacles. 

He said Germany would provide an additional 5 million euros ($5.7 million) to the UN World Food Programme to support bakeries and soup kitchens and fund a field hospital in Gaza City.

Asked about Israeli concerns that aid could be diverted by Hamas, Wadephul acknowledged that misuse could not be fully ruled out but said it was no reason to block relief efforts.

"The best way to prevent Hamas from misusing supplies is to deliver more aid and ensure full coverage for the population," he said.

($1 = 0.8759 euros)