Diplomat advocates changes within Palestinian leadership to foster peace negotiations

In a recent statement, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) has outlined a roadmap for resolving the long-standing conflict in the Middle East, focusing on a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

The proposed roadmap emphasizes a ceasefire as the first step towards peace. According to Wadephul, the Palestinian Authority needs to undergo comprehensive reforms for negotiations to take place. The Authority's lack of new democratic legitimacy, due to the absence of elections for many years, is a central concern in his plan.

Wadephul believes that a future Palestinian state should include East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. However, he clarifies that the exact boundaries of the future Palestinian state would be negotiated. The Israeli government, according to Wadephul, is open to a "negotiated settlement".

The readiness and ability of the Palestinian side to negotiate is a prerequisite, as per Wadephul's roadmap. The Palestinian Authority, as per the roadmap, needs to regain democratic legitimacy through elections. The roadmap does not provide a timeline for the steps towards a two-state solution nor does it specify any new details about the boundaries of the future Palestinian state.

It is worth noting that the most recent elections in the Palestinian Authority involved primarily the two main parties: Fatah and Hamas. The last legislative elections were held in 2006, with new elections repeatedly postponed. Recent political activity centers on these major parties within the Palestinian Authority's governance structure.

The roadmap proposed by Wadephul includes the Palestinian Authority's reform as a prerequisite for negotiations. However, the roadmap does not mention any new details about the readiness and ability of the Palestinian side to negotiate.

In conclusion, Wadephul's roadmap calls for a ceasefire, Palestinian Authority reform, and the restoration of democratic structures as necessary steps towards a two-state solution. The exact boundaries and timeline for the two-state solution remain to be negotiated.