Berlin: The German Foreign Ministry declared that “the construction of settlements violates international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.” Berlin expressed deep concern over Israel’s latest settlement plans, particularly those involving the controversial E1 area and expansion of the Ma’ale Adumim settlement.

The backlash follows an announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who confirmed that plans are underway to construct thousands of housing units in the occupied territories. The move has drawn sharp criticism from the international community, including the United Nations, which maintains that all settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law.

The UN has repeatedly called for an immediate halt to settlement activity, warning that it erodes the foundations needed for peace and significantly diminishes the feasibility of a two-state solution.