Right now there is hardly a conflict that is giving foreign policy and people around the world as much cause for concern as the ongoing devastating war in Gaza.

Our urgent goal is an immediate ceasefire and an immediate end of the war. Hamas must finally free all hostages and lay down its weapons. In future, no threat to Israel must emanate from Gaza. The humanitarian disaster in Gaza has to be stopped.

In parallel, we need a sustainable solution to the Middle East conflict. There cannot be a return to the status quo ante. The brutal terrorist attack of 7 October and the ensuing war in Gaza with the civilian population enduring unbearable suffering clearly show that the conflict can neither be managed nor won but must be resolved. This is what the Federal Government has been working to achieve for a long time.

To bring about a durable resolution of the conflict, the two-state solution remains the only blueprint on which there has been international agreement and which enables both the Palestinians and the Israelis to live in peace, security and dignity. That is why I am attending the high-level Conference on the Two-State Solution hosted by France and Saudi Arabia in New York on 28 and 29 July. In New York, we want to inject new momentum into the process to bring about the two-state solution.

At the Conference, I will underscore Germany’s approach and concrete contributions to implement the two-state solution – rooted in our non-negotiable commitment to Israel’s security. We need a new security architecture in Gaza and concrete day-after scenarios. However, it is also clear that this can only happen if Hamas releases all hostages, lays down weapons and relinquishes all future claims to power.

Germany is helping build the future Palestinian state every day by strengthening the Palestinian Authority and lending support as it establishes state structures in the Palestinian territories and engages in reform. This all bolsters Israel’s security as well. We clearly condemn Israeli settlement activities, settler violence and attempts to annex land in the West Bank. After all, this policy undermines a two-state solution and renders it impossible.

Alongside an Israel in 1967 borders, an independent, democratic state of Palestine needs to emerge living in peace side by side with its neighbours. Germany will play its part.