Germany Criticizes Israel’s Illegal Settlement Expansion But Rejects EU Sanctions

Berlin, MINA – Germany criticized Israel’s ongoing illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank on Friday. However, Berlin refused to back calls from fellow European Union (EU) members for tougher measures, including a trade ban on goods from those settlements.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated during a press conference in Berlin that Germany’s long-standing position on illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territories remains unchanged. He noted that Germany continues to remind Israel of its obligations under international law, as reported by Anadolu.

“Every German government up to now, including ourselves, has consistently made similar statements,” Wadephul said. He added that he repeated Germany’s expectations during his visit to Israel on Tuesday, where he discussed recent developments with his Israeli counterpart.

“In particular, any form of settler violence is unacceptable. We expect the Israeli government to take decisive action against it,” he said, adding that he received assurances on the matter from Israeli officials.

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Wadephul did not say directly whether Germany would support proposals to ban or restrict imports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank at the upcoming EU foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday. Instead, he emphasized the need to keep communication channels open with Israel.

“We have previously decided to sanction radical settler organizations that turn to violence. We are ready to review the situation at any time,” he stated.

Wadephul argued that the main priority right now is to create conditions for progress in other urgent areas.

He repeated that Israel must not restrict humanitarian access to Gaza and must allow more aid into the Palestinian territory. At the same time, he called for faster efforts to dismantle Hamas’s power structures.

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“I believe we must focus on these issues right now. That will also be my main focus at the EU foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday,” he said.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

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