German Chancellor: The Two-State Solution Will Come; Netanyahu: The Palestinian State Aims to Eliminate Israel

SadaNews - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today, Sunday, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who arrived in Israel yesterday on his first visit since his appointment seven months ago. Merz met yesterday with Israeli President Isaac Herzog. During a joint press conference with Merz, Netanyahu stated that he would not step down from political life even if he received a pardon for the corruption charges against him.

Merz stated during the joint press conference with Netanyahu that "we have a plan for a new Middle East where Israel has a part alongside the establishment of a Palestinian state. The two-state solution will come after negotiations, not at the outset; thus, Germany supports the Palestinian Authority but criticizes it as well."

Netanyahu said that "there is often disagreement with Germany, but open discussions always take place. Germany has significantly contributed to Israel's security. We are at a point where we believe there are opportunities for peace. The Iranian axis, which drove extremism and intolerance, has been defeated. The goal is to achieve the disarmament of Hamas, disarmament of the sector, and the de-radicalization of Gaza. This is very difficult, but it has succeeded in the past in Germany, Japan, and Gulf countries."

Netanyahu claimed that "the goal of establishing a Palestinian state is to eliminate the Jewish state. They had a state and tried to eradicate Israel from it. We will not create a state committed to an agenda of our destruction. Israel is a giant state, and we will take care of our security. What we will always insist on is that the sovereign power from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea will remain in Israeli hands."

Merz pointed out that "criticisms of the Israeli government are sometimes necessary, but they should not be used as an excuse for anti-Semitism."

During his visit to the "Yad Vashem" Holocaust memorial today, Merz stated that "Germany will ensure the memory of the horrific crime of the Holocaust against the Jewish people is kept alive. It is Germany's responsibility to support Israel's right to exist securely. This is part of the essential core of relations between the two countries, and it will remain so."

Netanyahu added, "I will discuss with him how we will end Hamas's role in Gaza, as this is a central part of ensuring another future for the Palestinians and for us. We have almost completed the first phase (of Trump's plan). One hostage's remains need to be returned to us. We expect to soon move towards the second phase, which is the most challenging, or at least as difficult as the first phase. No one was convinced that Trump would pressure Hamas to release the hostages, but we succeeded. Now, the second phase is to achieve the disarmament of Hamas and Gaza."

During his meeting with Herzog, Merz addressed the relationship between the two sides during the genocide war on Gaza and Germany's purchase of the "David's Sling" Israeli system for intercepting long-range missiles. Merz's visit comes in the context of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Herzog described Merz as "a true friend of the State of Israel," considering that "our two countries have a unique, emotional, and important history, along with many challenges. We have become close friends, and seeing 'David's Sling' missiles deployed in Germany for the defense of Germany and Europe is something special, moving, and important to me."

Herzog referred to the UN Security Council's approval of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to stop the war on Gaza and the future of the Gaza Strip, stating, "It is clear that we should move to the second phase (of the plan), and we must ensure that Hamas will not be able to operate in Gaza again. Only then can we create a new horizon for the region, for the Gazans and Israelis, for Israel and its Palestinian neighbors, and for Israel and its Arab neighbors, and we must work together for that."

Herzog believed that "as is known, we stand before the evil empire in Tehran. We are the ones defending Europe."

For his part, Merz said, "I came as a friend to Israel, and we couldn't meet at a more challenging and complex time. You know that Germany stands firmly by Israel, especially since the shocking terrorist attack carried out by the Hamas terror movement on October 7, 2023."

Merz added that "since then we have deepened and strengthened our friendship more, and you know that we will always stand by Israel. We still view this friendship as a miracle. After a very short time following the Holocaust, we managed to establish diplomatic relations and deepen them, and this is the unique importance of relations for us."

Merz told Herzog that "the Israeli army's operations and the government (during the war) put us in a dilemma. We were obligated to respond, but be assured and confident that we are by your side. Israel has the right to defend itself and its right to exist. We stand by Israel's right to exist and support your efforts. We will continue to assist when the peace process and negotiations enter the next phase. The war will end when Hamas lays down its arms, and then we will look ahead."

Merz added that for Germany, "a two-state solution must be reached. We have always supported that, and it is an important condition for a good coexistence between Israel and the Palestinians, between the Israeli people and the Palestinians and the Arab world. I am fully aware of the responsibility placed on me and on Germany in this process, and I pledge that standing by Israel is part of our DNA and our policy."