Ex-German security adviser calls on Berlin to recognize Palestine

Former Munich Security Conference chairman Christoph Heusgen has urged the German government to recognize a Palestinian state in light of the suffering in the Gaza Strip.

Heusgen, writing in a guest article for the RND media group published on Friday, said such a move would be seen worldwide as a "particularly strong gesture" given Germany's reputation as a loyal friend of Israel.

The long-time adviser to former German chancellor Angela Merkel added that, while recognition would not change the situation on the ground in the short term, it would send a strong signal of solidarity with the Palestinian people if Germany joined the majority of states that already recognize Palestine.

Several countries, including France, Canada and Australia, have announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.

The German government, however, has repeatedly said this is not an option for now. At the end of July, government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said that recognition was seen as "one of the final steps" on the path to a two-state solution, which envisions an independent Palestinian state coexisting peacefully alongside Israel.

Heusgen warned that Israel risked developing into an "apartheid state." He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects a Palestinian state and supports settler violence in the West Bank. "All diplomatic attempts to get the Israeli government to back down have been in vain," Heusgen said.

He stressed that Israel's security is a matter of German national interest. "But Israel's security also requires that the country does not make enemies or isolate itself globally through excessive military force and violations of international law."

Netanyahu rejects a two-state solution, as does the Islamist militant organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip. A number of countries in the European Union, particularly in eastern and south-eastern Europe, recognized a Palestinian state years ago.

About a month ago, French President Emmanuel Macron became the first major Western leader to announce such a move.