Germany condemns Israel’s de facto annexation in West Bank
Berlin also left open the option of additional EU sanctions if violence by Israeli settlers continues.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul condemned Israel’s de facto annexation moves in the West Bank and said such unilateral steps violate international law. At a news conference in Berlin on Friday (10/7), Wadephul also called on Israel to act against violence by settlers. He warned that if the Israeli government does not take action, the European Union could impose additional sanctions on settlers involved in violence. According to Wadephul, the status of land in the West Bank must be determined through negotiations between Palestine and Israel. In May, the European Union already approved sanctions against three extremist Israeli settlers and four organizations that support them over serious violations of Palestinians’ rights.