Alalam - middle-east
“We are concerned that unlimited construction of settlements will ... make a two-state solution impossible and could increase the risks of conflicts in the Middle East, including possible war,” Sigmar Gabriel told reporters at a Thursday news conference at a G20 foreign ministers meeting.
Gabriel’s remarks came after the administration of US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday Washington would no longer insist on a “two-state solution” to the Israel-Palestine conflict, but would support whatever the two sides agree to.
The Trump administration’s apparent policy shift has been met with strong criticism from Palestinians and the international community, including the UN and the Arab League, which argue Washington should not drop its long-time support for the so-called two-state solution without proposing an “alternative.”
Gabriel further noted that a recent vote by the Israeli Knesset to legalize more settlements, which are illegal under international law, has further complicated the situation.
In recent years, relations between Israel and Germany have grown tense as Berlin questioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's commitment to a two-state solution with the Palestinians.