Germany says Israel ‘increasingly in the minority' on Palestinian issue
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul repeated Berlin's position that 'the recognition of a Palestinian state should come at the end of the process' of negotiations.
BERLIN - Germany's foreign minister said on July 31 that Israel was increasingly isolated diplomatically over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the push by some countries to
recognise a Palestinian state .
Mr Johann Wadephul said in a statement before heading to Israel that the recent UN conference on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – boycotted by the US and Israel – showed that 'Israel is finding itself increasingly in the minority'.
Germany is one of Israel's staunchest diplomatic allies but Mr Wadephul noted that 'in view of the open threats of annexation by some in the Israeli government, a growing number of European countries are ready to recognise a state of Palestine without previous negotiations'.
Last week, more than 70 Israeli lawmakers, including some in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, passed a motion urging the government to impose sovereignty over the occupied West Bank.
Mr Wadephul repeated Berlin's position that 'the recognition of a Palestinian state should come at the end of the process' of negotiations.
He did however sharpen his tone slightly by insisting that 'this process must begin now' and that 'Germany will also be forced to react to unilateral moves'.
Mr Wadephul is expected to meet his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar and President Isaac Herzog, as well as Mr Netanyahu.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore No entry: ICA to bar high-risk, undesirable travellers from boarding S'pore-bound ships, flights
Singapore 5 foreign women suspected of trafficking 27kg of cocaine nabbed in Changi Airport
Singapore Over half of job applications by retrenched Jetstar Asia staff led to offers or interviews: CEO
Singapore 17-member committee to drive roll-out of autonomous vehicles in Singapore
Business Singapore gold investment soars 37% to 2.2 tonnes in Q2 while jewellery demand wanes
Singapore Underground pipe leak likely reason for water supply issues during Toa Payoh fire: Town council
Multimedia 60 years, 60 items: A National Day game challenge
Singapore 'Switching careers just as I became a dad was risky, but I had to do it for my family'
He will also travel to the West Bank to meet Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
36 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Turkey condemns Jewish prayer on Al-Aqsa compound
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Jewish religious rituals are prohibited in the compound by a long-standing agreement between Israel and Jordan. ISTANBUL - Ankara on Aug 3 blasted an Israeli government minister for conducting a Jewish prayer on the Al-Aqsa compound in east Jerusalem. In a highly controversial move, Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir publicly conducted on Aug 3 a Jewish prayer at the mosque's compound, which is Islam's third-holiest site, and sits on the Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest place. 'We strongly condemn the raid carried out on the Al-Aqsa Mosque by certain Israeli ministers, under the protection of Israeli police and accompanied by groups of Israeli settlers,' the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement. 'The security of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the preservation of Jerusalem's sacred identity are not only regional priorities but also a primary responsibility on behalf of humanity's collective conscience,' it said. Jewish religious rituals are prohibited in the compound by a long-standing agreement between Israel and Jordan, custodian of the site. In recent years, the understanding, known as the 'status quo' has been repeatedly violated by Jewish visitors, including members of Israel's parliament. AFP
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Trump, Carney to speak in coming days, Canadian official says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives at a press conference to make an announcement on recognizing Palestinian statehood, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, July 30, 2025. REUTERS/Patrick Doyle/File Photo WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will likely talk "over the next number of days" after the U.S. imposed a 35% tariff on goods not covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, a Canadian official said on Sunday. Dominic LeBlanc, the federal cabinet minister in charge of U.S.-Canada trade, also told CBS News' "Face the Nation" that he was "encouraged" by recent discussions and believed a deal to bring down tariffs remained an option. "We're encouraged by the conversations with Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer, but we're not yet where we need to go to get the deal that's in the best interest of the two economies," LeBlanc said, referring to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The trade minister said he expected Carney and Trump to speak "over the next number of days." "We think there is an option of striking a deal that will bring down some of these tariffs provide greater certainty to investment," LeBlanc said. Washington linked Friday's tariff announcement in part to what it said was Canada's failure to stop fentanyl smuggling. It was the latest blow in a months-long tariff war which Trump initiated shortly after returning to power this year. Carney says Canada accounts for just 1% of U.S. fentanyl imports and has been working intensively to further reduce the volumes. REUTERS
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Singapore must stay socially progressive while conserving its cultures: Tharman
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox President Tharman Shanmugaratnam speaking at an event to launch the Encyclopedia of Singapore Tamils on Aug 2. SINGAPORE – Singapore must continue to be a place where cultures can be preserved, including that of its many sub-ethnic groups. At the same time, it must also remain socially progressive, where discrimination in any form is not tolerated, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. At an Aug 2 event to launch the Encyclopaedia of Singapore Tamils (EST) , Mr Tharman said the story of the city-state's Tamil community is, in many ways, that of Singapore itself – one of resilience, multicultural integration and also deep social transformation over the country's 60 years of independence. The EST is an online resource that documents the history and contributions of the Tamil community here over the past 200 years, and is a collaboration between the Centre for Singapore Tamil Culture (CSTC) and the National Library Board (NLB). The President noted that in Singapore's early years, migrants from southern India naturally brought with them their caste traditions and practices. As a result, segregation in their social interactions, jobs and living arrangements closely resembled those in their places of origin. For instance, the encyclopaedia records how almost all Indian enclaves here had designated Adi-Dravida zones for those lowest in the caste hierarchy, such as the area between Jalan Besar and Rochor Canal. While attitudes towards caste started to change in the 1930s and 1940s due to reformist movements such as the Tamil Reform Association and the Japanese Occupation, the most profound changes came after Singapore gained independence, said Mr Tharman. A national education system promoted meritocracy regardless of social background, public housing brought people of all communities together, and a growing economy provided opportunities for all, he noted. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No plans to fully liberalise cross-border ride-hailing services between S'pore and Johor: LTA Singapore LTA, Singapore bus operators reviewing Malaysia's request to start services from JB at 4am World Trump is winning his trade war, but Americans will pay the price Singapore President Tharman meets migrant workers who saved driver of car that fell into sinkhole Opinion The charm – and drawbacks – of living in a time warp in Singapore Singapore Now flying solo, Acres CEO Kalaivanan Balakrishnan presses ahead with wildlife rescue efforts Life KPop Demon Hunters to get sequels, expanded universe to include musical, live-action remake The result was a dilution of caste traditions and better appreciation for inclusivity. But there are still remnants of caste practices among those who have been higher up in the traditional social hierarchy, and a renewed influx of such practices among new immigrants, said Mr Tharman. More also needs to be done to help those who have faced disadvantages passed down through generations, from the time their forefathers arrived here as coolies and indentured labourers, he added. 'As much as we have done away with the most regressive social practices, we have to keep working at this... even as we conserve the core of our cultures, Singapore must remain a socially progressive place, where discrimination of all forms is not tolerated, and inclusivity becomes part of all our lives,' said Mr Tharman. 'It is what makes us as Tamil Singaporeans, and as Indian Singaporeans, distinctive among Indian communities globally.' At the event, CSTC chief executive Arun Mahizhnan said the encyclopaedia addresses a longstanding lack of a comprehensive historical record of Singapore's Tamil community. It currently contains more than 350 entries, covering a range of topics that includes historical events, arts, community organisations, journalism, education, politics and personalities. Being online means it will be accessible to a broad audience both in Singapore and abroad, added Mr Mahizhnan, who is also EST's chief editor. 'Besides preserving our history, it can also inspire younger generations to appreciate and connect with their heritage.' EST deputy editor Sivanantham Neelakandan said the encyclopaedia is meant to be a living document that will continue to grow and 'serve as a lasting testament for generations to come'. The encyclopaedia, published in conjunction with SG60 and NLB's 30th anniversary, can be accessed both in Tamil and English. In his speech, Mr Tharman paid tribute to the generations of Tamils who contributed to Singapore society in areas such as education, women's rights, politics, medicine, law, sports and the arts. He also spotlighted the Tamil community's influence on the city-state's culinary landscape, such as how mee goreng (spicy fried noodles) was created and popularised by the Muslim Chulias of Madras. 'As we celebrate SG60, may this be a reminder of each of our communities' contributions, from the labourers who led the most difficult of lives to the civil servants, educationists, professionals and entrepreneurs, each contributing to making this nation that we treasure,' he said. The event was attended by almost 600 guests, including Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo and Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash. Following the launch, a roving exhibition will tour four venues across Singapore from August 2025 to February 2026, showcasing key aspects of Singapore's Tamil heritage through interactive panels and displays. The exhibition will highlight lesser-known facts about Tamil publishing, postage stamps, schools and signages.
