Berlin condemns Israeli security cabinet’s decision to advance settlement construction, escalating tensions and undermining prospects for a two-state solution.
The German Foreign Ministry issued a forceful condemnation Monday of the Israeli security cabinet’s recent authorization for the construction of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. A spokesperson for the ministry stated that the German government’s position remains unambiguous: settlement construction constitutes a violation of international law and is fundamentally rejected.
The move, described as a direct impediment to achieving a negotiated two-state solution – a stated goal of Berlin – further solidifies the ongoing Israeli occupation of the West Bank, a situation the International Court of Justice has urged Israel to dismantle. While German officials routinely call on Israeli authorities to halt all settlement construction, the latest decision highlights the increasing divergence between stated policy and concrete actions.
The approval has ignited accusations of deliberate obstructionism, particularly in light of remarks by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who framed the new settlements as strategically vital to preventing the emergence of a “Palestinian terrorist state”. This rationale, viewed with alarm by international observers, underscores a hardening ideological stance within the Israeli government and a willingness to disregard international legal norms.
Berlin’s ongoing efforts to facilitate a two-state solution, presented as integral to the security of the entire region, are increasingly challenged by such actions. The spokesperson acknowledged that Germany engages in “confidential conversations” with Israeli officials on the matter, suggesting a delicate diplomatic balancing act between advocating for a peaceful resolution and maintaining a crucial political relationship. However, critics suggest that stronger and more demonstrably concrete measures are needed to exert sufficient pressure on Israel to reverse this course and genuinely pursue a path towards a viable and lasting peace. The latest approval risks rendering the prospect of a two-state solution increasingly distant, further destabilizing the region and complicating international efforts to mediate a resolution.