Following a recent address by US President Donald Trump before the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Franziska Brantner, leader of the German Green Party, has urged German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to take decisive action. Brantner stated that Trump’s criticisms of the UN and fundamental tenets of international cooperation underscore the need for a more cohesive European stance. She contrasted Merz’s frequent pronouncements on European strength with what she perceives as a reluctance to facilitate collective action.
Addressing the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, Brantner emphasized the need for Chancellor Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) to define their position. “Do they stand with those advocating for the safety and security of all people in Israel and Palestine? Or do they passively observe as the possibility of ending the violence, achieving peace and securing the release of hostages recedes further into the distance?” she queried. She called on the German government to actively champion a two-state solution.
Brantner stressed the urgency of ending the war and securing the release of hostages, criticizing what she described as a failure to engage decisively when faced with critical foreign policy challenges. She insisted that Merz must move beyond rhetoric and dismantle any obstacle to a unified European approach.
The call from Brantner comes amidst a shifting international landscape. French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced at a summit dedicated to the two-state solution the recognition of a Palestinian state. The move follows similar actions by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Portugal, which recognized the state on Sunday. Moreover, calls for sanctions against Israel are gaining traction in several European Union member states.
