Germany skeptical of Trump’s Mideast peace plan

BERLIN (AA) - Germany expressed skepticism Tuesday over U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial Middle East peace plan.

“The U.S. proposal raises questions that we will now discuss with our partners in the EU. This includes questions concerning the involvement of the conflict parties in any negotiation process and how the proposal relates to internationally agreed parameters and legal positions,” Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement.

Germany has long supported a “two-state solution” through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians and has repeatedly argued that Jerusalem’s status should be settled throughout these negotiations as foreseen in the relevant United Nations resolutions.

But Trump earlier in the day referred to Jerusalem as "Israel's undivided capital” and also signaled that the U.S. will recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley in the eastern swath of the occupied West Bank.

Maas also reaffirmed Berlin’s continued support for a two-state solution, the internationally agreed parameters for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

“Only a negotiated two‑state solution that is acceptable to both parties can lead to a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” he stressed.

He also noted that Germany will examine Trump’s proposal carefully and consult with its European partners before formally adopting a position on the plan.