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Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson on settlement projects in East Jerusalem
A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson commented as follows today (19 November) on the Israeli Prime Minister’s decision to push ahead with the construction of settlements in East Jerusalem:
The Israeli Government’s plans to push ahead with settlement‑building in Ramat Shlomo run counter to the efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in the Middle East. In the light of the continuing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem and the West Bank, all steps that could further escalate the situation should be refrained from.
What we urgently need now is a serious endeavour to resume the talks about a two‑state solution. The lack of communication between the parties therefore has to end and new trust must be established. The German Government thus supports the efforts of the Middle East Quartet to resume the discussions between Israelis and Palestinians.
Background:
On 17 November 2015, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that building in the East Jerusalem settlement of Ramat Shlomo would recommence. Invitations for bids to build 438 homes were then published. The announcement came exactly one year after the European Union criticised earlier Israeli announcements regarding new settlement activity in districts including Ramat Shlomo in its Council Conclusions of 17 November 2014.
