Germany is stepping directly into Middle East diplomacy, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz calling on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to push through sweeping reforms in the Palestinian Authority (PA) — changes Berlin says are vital for any credible post-war settlement in Gaza.
The appeal came during a phone call Saturday, just hours before Merz departed for Israel, where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. According to German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius, the discussion was “friendly” but direct. Merz urged Abbas to implement “urgently needed reforms” that would allow the PA — which governs parts of the West Bank — to play a constructive role in the region’s future political order.
Backing Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan
Merz reaffirmed Germany’s full support for the U.S. peace framework crafted by President Donald Trump, which underpins the October 10 cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. That truce, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, has largely halted two years of conflict in Gaza. Berlin also welcomed what Merz described as the PA’s cooperative stance toward the cease-fire agreement.
Germany remains one of Israel’s strongest allies — both politically and militarily — a fact frequently highlighted by Israeli and European officials.
Diplomatic Marathon: Israel and Jordan on the Agenda
After a brief stop in Jordan, where Merz will meet King Abdullah II, the chancellor will travel to Jerusalem for high-level meetings and a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial. The trip marks his first visit to Israel since taking office seven months ago and comes at a pivotal time in negotiations over Gaza’s political future.
Two-State Solution Still Germany’s Goal — but Few Partners Agree
Merz also reiterated Berlin’s longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, calling it the only viable path to lasting peace. But the prospects remain grim. Netanyahu and senior Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected the idea of an independent Palestinian state. Hamas, which seized control of Gaza from the PA in 2007, has also explicitly ruled it out.
As Merz embarks on his Middle East tour, Germany is positioning itself as a key diplomatic player — but with both Israeli and Palestinian leadership entrenched in opposing visions, the path to peace remains as contested as ever.