German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed opposition to unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, setting Germany apart from some other European countries who have recently endorsed Palestinian unilateralism.

The Swedish government officially recognized “Palestine” on Oct. 30, and Spain’s parliament last week approved a non-binding resolution recognizing a Palestinian state following similar motions in the legislatures of Great Britain and Ireland.

But Merkel told a press conference on Friday that “unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state won’t move us forward” towards the goal of a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, which Germany supports.