Israeli FM Sa'ar warns 'a Palestinian state would be a Hamas terror state'

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar hosted a delegation of young German leaders in Jerusalem on Sunday and warned that the European obsession to establish a “Palestinian state” would result in a Hamas-ruled terrorist entity that threatens Israel’s national security. 

"There is an obsession in Europe. While we are dealing with terrorist states in Lebanon, Gaza, and Yemen, they are proposing that we establish a Palestinian terror state in the heart of our small country," Sa'ar stated. "A Palestinian state would be a Hamas terror state." Jerusalem’s top diplomat was likely referring to the fact that the Palestinian Authority is weak, corrupt and the terrorist organization Hamas is still much more popular among the Arabic-speaking population in Gaza, Judea and Samaria, internationally known as the West Bank. 

The European Division of the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem and the Israeli Embassy in Germany organized the trop with the goal to offer future German leaders the opportunity to understand the “Israeli story” in the Middle East. The visit also coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Germany and Israel.

The German delegation members are scheduled to meet Israeli leaders but also survivors of the Oct. 7 massacre including the Israeli Eurovision singer Yuval Raphael who survived the Nova Music Festival Massacre two years ago. The overall aim is to deepen the understanding for the many complex challenges that Israel has faced during the past two years of war on multiple fronts. 

In September, several Western nations including France, the UK, Canada, Belgium and Australia formally recognized a “Palestinian state” despite vocal criticism from Israel and the United States that such diplomatic move effectively rewards the terrorist organization Hamas and the Oct. 7 massacre of 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping of 250 people from Israel. In May 2024, Spain, Ireland and Norway also unilaterally recognized a “Palestinian state” despite opposition from Jerusalem. 

By contrast, Germany, which has close ties with Israel, has been more reluctant to follow the diplomatic path of France, the UK and other Western powers. While supporting the internationally favored two-state formula, Germany has signaled that it prefers a negotiated solution that includes Israel’s legitimate security concerns. 

"A negotiated two-state solution remains the only path that can offer people on both sides a life in peace, security, and dignity," the German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated in July. "For Germany, the recognition of a Palestinian state comes more at the end of that process. But such a process must begin now," he added.

Germany has generally supported Israel’s right to defend itself after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack. However, following growing domestic criticism of the Gaza war, the German government announced in August that it would impose a partial arms embargo on Israel with the goal of bringing the war to an end. This move caused temporarily tensions with the Israeli government. 

Earlier this month, the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Berlin would lift its arms embargo on Israel and stressed the importance of supporting the Jewish state. 

“The position of the Federal Republic of Germany must be clear, where we stand. In the Western alliance, alongside Israel,” Merz stated during a youth party conference in Germany. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed at the time that Merz and Netanyahu had conducted a friendly phone conversation.  

“It was a good and friendly conversation, during which the two discussed political and regional issues,” the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem stated.