Israeli army armoured vehicles patrol during raid on Ain refugee camp in Nablus, West Bank on March 19 ,2025 [Issam Rimawi - Anadolu Agency]
Israeli army armoured vehicles patrol during raid on Ain refugee camp in Nablus, West Bank on March 19 ,2025 [Issam Rimawi – Anadolu Agency]
Germany and Austria today condemned the Israeli government for legalising 13 settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank.
The German Foreign Ministry spokesman emphasised that the controversial move violates international law and hinders efforts toward a political solution to the conflict.
“We strongly condemn this decision. It promotes an expansive settlement policy that actively undermines a two-state solution,” spokesman Christian Wagner said.
“The German government rejects Israel’s entire settlement policy as illegal under international law, and it is clear that this policy must be ended and this decision reversed,” he told a press conference in Berlin.
Vienna echoed Germany’s concerns saying: “Austria condemns Israel’s designation of 13 outposts as new settlements in the West Bank, further undermining the prospects for a two-state solution.”
“We urge Israel to reverse this decision and end its illegal settlement policy, which violates international law,” it added.
Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced yesterday that the Security Cabinet approved a plan to separate and legalise 13 settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank, calling it “another important step on the path to actual sovereignty” in the occupied West Bank.
According to Palestinian reports, approximately 770,000 illegal Israeli settlers were living in 180 settlements and 256 outposts across the occupied territory by the end of 2024.
All Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law.
READ: Israeli occupation forces destroy a house, well and farm in occupied West Bank