We are deeply concerned about reports that the Israeli Government is pushing ahead with the development of more than 1000 housing units in West Bank settlements.

The German Government’s standpoint on this is well known: the settlement construction in the occupied territories violates international law. Building settlements further hampers the progress of the peace process and undermines the basis of the two-state solution. The EU foreign ministers once again endorsed this position at their council meeting last week.

Especially now, both sides are called upon to build trust and to eschew unilateral, provocative actions. We warn against making it harder to resume peace negotiations by taking such steps.

A negotiated two-state solution remains the only option which offers the prospect of lasting peace.