German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected the use of the word "apartheid" to describe relations between Israel and the Palestinians during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. At a joint press conference in Berlin, Scholz stated, "It is natural for us to have different assessments regarding Israeli policy, and I want to make it clear that I do not support the use of the term apartheid and do not believe it accurately describes the situation."
For his part, Abbas warned against undermining the two-state solution, indicating that "turning it into a one-state reality with an apartheid system will not serve security and stability in our region, and will leave the Palestinian people with no choice but to seek their rights in a single state with equal rights for all." He questioned, "Is this what Israel wants? Is this what the international community wants?"
Earlier, the Palestinian news agency "Wafa" reported that Abbas met with Scholz to discuss the political developments in the region, the efforts to revive the peace process, and the bilateral relations between the two countries. He also discussed with the German Chancellor "ways to protect the two-state solution by calling on the international community to stop Israeli assaults and recognize the State of Palestine and its full membership in the United Nations."
During the press conference, Abbas thanked Germany "for all that it provides for the Palestinian people and the peace process in the Middle East," appreciating "Germany's continued support for our Palestinian people to build its capacities, establish its national institutions, and support UNRWA." The Palestinian president arrived in Berlin on Monday evening for an unspecified official visit.
