BERLIN, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Germany's Federal Foreign Office on Thursday opposed the Israeli plan to build thousands of new settlement units in the West Bank.
A statement issued by the office said the German government "firmly rejects" the plans, stating that the construction of settlements is a violation of international law and relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions.
The statement said that such actions make a negotiated two-state solution more difficult to achieve and hinder the end of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.
Planning for the E1 settlement and the expansion of Ma'ale Adumim would further restrict the mobility of the Palestinian population in the West Bank, effectively divide the West Bank into two halves and cut East Jerusalem off from the rest of the West Bank, said the statement.
It stressed the German government "clearly rejects any annexation plans on the part of the Israeli government," calling on Israel to stop building settlements. ■
