German Foreign Ministry: We firmly reject the planning of the E1 settlement and the expansion of Ma'ale Adumim

SadaNews Translation: The German federal government firmly rejects the Israeli government's announcements regarding the approval for the construction of thousands of new housing units in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The German Foreign Ministry added that the construction of settlements constitutes a violation of international law and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, making it more difficult to achieve a negotiated two-state solution and end the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, as called for by the International Court of Justice.

The German Foreign Ministry stated that planning for the construction of the E1 settlement and the expansion of Ma'ale Adumim will further restrict the movement of Palestinian residents in the West Bank, as translated by SadaNews, effectively dividing the West Bank into two halves and isolating East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank.

The German federal government urged the Israeli government to halt the construction of settlements and will only recognize changes to the borders established on June 4, 1967, that are agreed upon by both parties to the conflict.

The German federal government concluded that it firmly rejects any annexation plans by the Israeli government.