BERLIN: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Thursday that recognising a Palestinian state now would send `the wrong signal`, despite moves by other European countries in that direction.

Speaking at a Berlin press conference with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar, Wadephul stressed German support for a two-state solution but said `negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians must be concluded`first.

Spain, Ireland and Norway a year ago recognised a Palestinian state and President Emmanuel Macron has said France could do so by June, leading Israel to accuse him of a `crusade against the Jewish state`.

Germany, as it has sought to atone for the Holocaust, has long been one of Israel`s most steadfast supporters, but has recently sharpened its criticism of its ally over the Gaza conflict.

Wadephul said `too little` aid was reaching civilians in the war-battered territory, where the United Nations warned last month that the entire population was at risk of famine.

Germany`s top diplomat added that he had renewed to Saar his `urgent request to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza` as required by international law.

He stressed that Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas and other enemies, and that `therefore Germany will of course continue to support Israel with arms deliveries, that was never in doubt`.

Last week, Wadephul had said Germany was assessing `whether what is happening in Gaza is in line with international law` and that arms sales to Israel would be evaluated on this basis.

This brought criticism from some within Wadephul`s own CDU/CSU conservative alliance, who accused him of insufficient support for Israel.

`Difficult hours` Wadephul also said he was `concerned about the extremely tense situation in the West Bank` and that Berlin rejects the creation of new Israeli settlements there.

`This settlement policy in this form is contrary to international law, it literally blocks the possibility of a two-state solution,` said Wadephul.

Last week Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to build a `Jewish Israeli state` in the occupied West Bank after the government announced the creation of 22 new settlements there.

Saar, speaking earlier at Berlin`s Holocaust memorial, said that Israel is `surrounded by enemies seeking its elimination` and that `the only difference between Hamas and the Nazis was their capabilities`.

He said a Palestinian state would mean `the biggest prize is being offered to the murderers, establishing a new terrorist state in the heart of our homeland`.

Saar charged that `only Hamas is responsible for the suffering on both sides` and said that `we need Germany`s support today in these difficult hours`.-AFP