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Germany calls on Israel to stop building settlements in the West Bank

2024-09-06 19:41:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on Israel to halt settlement construction projects in the occupied West Bank during a visit to Tel Aviv on Friday.

Germany's top diplomat visited Saudi Arabia and Jordan yesterday as part of her tour of the Middle East, in an effort to urge Israel and Hamas - the Palestinian group declared a terrorist by the US and the EU - to reach an agreement on a cease-fire in Gaza and on release of hostages. US President Joe Biden's administration said earlier this week it believes a ceasefire deal is within reach.

But Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, insists that Israeli troops must remain along the border line between Gaza and Egypt for security reasons. Hamas demands the complete withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza.

Baerbock called on the Government of Israel to end housing projects for Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank in order to help build confidence in the region. Speaking after meeting with her Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz in Tel Aviv, she said that the construction of settlements in the West Bank is a clear violation of international law.

"In my opinion, the Israeli government can regain lost international trust by stopping settlement construction projects as a first step," she said.

The Israeli government must also "take strong action against the violent acts being carried out by radical settlers," Baerbock said.

Two months ago, Israel approved the construction of more than 5,000 housing units in several settlements in the West Bank.

Baerbock is also expected to meet with the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Mohammed Mustafa, in Ramallah. Israel occupied the West Bank, along with Gaza and East Jerusalem during the Middle East War in 1967. The Palestinians want these three territories to be part of their future state.

Three million Palestinians in the West Bank live under Israeli military rule, while the Western-backed Palestinian Authority has limited control over population centers.

More than 500,000 Jewish settlers, who live in settlements built throughout the territory which are considered by most of the international community as illegal, have Israeli citizenship./ Rel