Germany urges Israel to halt E1 settlement expansion

Germany's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned Israel's tender for over 1,000 settlement units in the E1 settlement project. Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Giese stated that the expansion breaches international law and endangers prospects for a negotiated two-state solution.

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Giese said: "We condemn the tender published yesterday for over 1,000 housing units for the Israeli E1 settlement project." He added that "this hinders the path—demanded by the international community and the International Court of Justice—towards ending the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, thereby jeopardizing the prospect of a negotiated two-state solution."

Call to halt construction

Giese warned that implementing the E1 project would effectively divide the West Bank in two and sever it from East Jerusalem, rendering a two-state solution unviable. "We therefore once again call upon the Israeli government to halt plans for the E1 settlement and to cease settlement construction in the West Bank," he said. Germany will not recognize any changes to the 1967 borders that have not been agreed by the parties to the conflict, Giese noted.

The spokesman stressed that Berlin rejects any annexation plans. "Germany clearly rejects any plans by the Israeli government for annexation," he said. The German government will continue working with European and international partners to establish conditions necessary for sustainable peace and a negotiated two-state solution.