BERLIN, Aug 15 — Germany has voiced strong opposition to Israel’s latest move to expand settlements in the West Bank, urging the Israeli government to cancel the plan that critics say will deepen divisions and jeopardize peace efforts.
Speaking on Friday, a German foreign ministry spokesperson said Berlin “firmly rejects” the announcement to approve thousands of new housing units in Israeli settlements, warning the expansion could have serious consequences for the region.
At the heart of the controversy is the “E1” settlement project, which, along with the expansion of Maale Adumim, would physically split the West Bank into two parts and cut it off from East Jerusalem. Such a division, Germany says, would severely limit the daily movement of Palestinians and deal a major blow to hopes for a Palestinian state.
The announcement came after Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared on Thursday that work would soon begin on the long-delayed project. His office described the move as a step that would “bury” any prospects for a two-state solution. The plan includes building 3,401 housing units for Israeli settlers between existing West Bank settlements and Jerusalem.
Germany has repeatedly cautioned Israel that settlement construction violates international law and defies United Nations Security Council resolutions. Such actions, Berlin warns, not only escalate tensions but also make it harder to achieve a peaceful, negotiated solution to end the decades-long conflict.
While the Israeli government maintains the expansion is in line with its security and development goals, critics argue it undermines peace efforts and worsens the humanitarian impact on Palestinians living under occupation.
