Germany criticizes Israeli settlement expansion

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) – The German government on Wednesday criticized ongoing Israeli settlement expansion in the Palestinian-run territories and occupied Jerusalem, saying it is an impediment to a two-state solution.

Responding to reporters' questions during a regular press conference in Berlin, German Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Christofer Burger said Israeli settlements are not “compatible with international law.”

He also stressed that the Israeli settlement policy is an “obstacle to the goal of a negotiated two-state solution.”

A traditionally staunch ally of Israel, Germany has time and again gone out of its way to criticize the continued Israeli settlement building, saying it will only further complicate the so-called Middle East peace process.

Berlin has repeatedly vowed to continue its efforts, together with the US and other European Union partners, to find a mutually acceptable, negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that addresses the legitimate concerns of both sides.

Around 650,000 Israeli Jews currently live in more than 130 settlements built since 1967, when Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The Palestinians want these territories along with the Gaza Strip for the establishment of a future Palestinian state.

International law regards both the West Bank and East Jerusalem as occupied territories and considers all Jewish settlement-building activity there illegal.