Palestinian Presidency Welcomes German Chancellor Merz Rejecting West Bank Annexation

The Palestinian Presidency welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's unequivocal rejection of any steps that would impose de facto annexation in the West Bank.

“RAMALLAH, April 14, 2026 (WAFA) – The Palestinian Presidency welcomed the statements of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in which he expressed his concern regarding the rapidly escalating developments in the Palestinian territories and reiterated unequivocally the need to refrain from any steps that would impose a de facto annexation in the West Bank”

WAFA Agency

Merz described Israel's new settlement initiative as a major mistake and an annexation ploy that would undermine the two-state solution.

WAFA Agency

The E1 project paves the way for 3,400 housing units east of Jerusalem.

Merz called on Israel to halt settlement efforts and urged the Israeli government to reconsider its decisions.

The Palestinian Presidency called on the international community to translate its rejection of annexation into concrete steps.

Merz's stance came amid growing European concern over Israeli settlement expansion.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich defended the project, saying the Palestinian state will be erased from the table.

Al-Bayadir al-Siyasi

German Foreign Minister Johan Wadfold reiterated Merz's stance during an unannounced visit to Israel.

He condemned violence by extremist settlers and urged the Israeli judiciary to address the matter with full force.

The Palestinian presidency framed the German position as a reflection of genuine commitment to international law.

The Palestinian Presidency demanded that the international community uphold its legal and moral responsibilities to end all Israeli crimes and violations.

“Does the German stance lead to a unified European position on the Palestinian issue”

Al-Markaz al-ʾūrubbī li-dirāsāt mukāfaḥ al-ʾirhāb wal-istikhbārāt

They called for guaranteeing the protection of Palestinian rights and the establishment of their independent state within the 1967 borders.

The presidency emphasized the importance of continuing and intensifying international and regional efforts.

The German position was widely welcomed across Palestinian and Arab political circles.