Germany on Monday condemned Israel's plans to build new settlements on occupied Palestinian lands ahead of talks between Chancellor Angela Merkel and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week.
Germany decided to abstain from a vote granting the Palestinians non-member "Observer State" status at the United Nations. The Local's <b>media roundup</b> looks at the potential implications for the Middle East.
Germany said on Wednesday it would not vote in favour of a Palestinian bid to upgrade their status at the United Nations, in a move that would bring them new global recognition.
Germany's alliance with Israel means it cannot help calm the escalating hostilities in and around the Gaza Strip, a leading Palestinian said on Tuesday as diplomatic efforts were ramped up to stop the fighting.
Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday called on Cairo to use its influence on Hamas to ease tensions in the Gaza Strip as Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil visited the violence-wracked area.
Germany joined the United States and Israel on Monday in protesting Palestine’s acceptance as full member of the United Nations cultural organization UNESCO, sparking a foreign policy rift within the European Union.
The head of German intelligence service Ernst Uhrlau last week indicated that his agents helped secure the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinians. One spy’s role was particularly crucial.
Germany’s foreign intelligence service is claiming to be involved in negotiations to free the Israel soldier Gilad Shalit as a swap for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to demand a quick return to peace talks - and said she 'absolutely did not understand' settlement expansion in east Jerusalem.
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle reiterated Germany's opposition to the Palestinian statehood bid in a speech to the United Nations on Monday, and called on both sides to follow the Quartet timetable.
Berlin believes unilateral moves – such as declaring Palestinian independence – would be "very counterproductive" to the Middle East peace process, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle warned on Tuesday.
A high-level German diplomatic mission to the Middle East will try to convince Palestinians next week to drop plans to gain UN recognition for an independent state.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed on Friday a speech by US President Barack Obama calling for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal based on 1967 borders, calling it "very important."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed Israeli-Palestinian ties on Friday, a week before Netanyahu takes his battle against Palestinian statehood to Washington.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel late on Thursday played down differences with France on recognition of a Palestinian state, saying they shared the goal of a quick relaunch of Middle East peace talks.
Germany has joined Israel and the United States in expressing deep scepticism about the reconciliation between former rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas, declaring the latter too radical and violent for a peace agreement.
Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas in Berlin on May 5, the German government said Friday, as Europe mulls the recognition of a Palestinian state.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Monday the blockade of the Gaza Strip only serves to strengthen extremists and urged Israel to allow exports from the impoverished territory.
Development Minister Dirk Niebel on Monday renewed his criticism of the Israeli government for being refused entry into the Gaza Strip, but welcomed signs the country's blockade of the Palestinian area could soon be weakened.
Polish authorities acting on a German request have arrested a suspected Mossad agent thought to have played a role in the Dubai assassination of a Hamas commander, German prosecutors said Saturday.
German Jews are preparing to send a ship loaded with humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip at the end of July despite an Israeli blockade, a representative of the initiative said Thursday.
Two German parliamentarians and a former MP arrived safe in Berlin on Tuesday following an Israeli raid on a naval aid convoy for the Gaza Strip. All three politicians denied Israeli claims that those on board had been armed and provoked the violence.
Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday said Israel's deadly raid on an aid convoy bound for the Gaza Strip had left her shocked and concerned about the fate of six Germans including two MPs.
Germany on Thursday demanded an explanation from Israel over the killing of a Hamas chief in Dubai by suspected Mossad agents using European passports.
