Germany expressed grave concern about the recent announcement by the Israeli government that it will push ahead with plans to build a settlement in the strategically important E1 area, east of occupied Jerusalem.
A German foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement that settlement construction in E1 further separates occupied East Jerusalem from the West Bank, making the possibility of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state the more difficult within the framework of a negotiated two-state solution.
Germany called on the Israeli government to refrain from proceeding with these plans and to stop settlement expansion, which violates international law.
It said it will only recognize those changes to the June 4, 1967 borders, including those relating to Jerusalem, agreed on by the parties through negotiations.
