BERLIN

Germany on Wednesday condemned Israel for approving the construction of more than 3,400 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. 

“We strongly condemn the approval of further settlement units in the West Bank and call on the Israeli government to immediately reverse the decision,” the German Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Israel's policy of building settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories constitutes a serious violation of international law and undermines any efforts towards a two-state solution,” the ministry said.

“We condemn terrorist violence in all forms in the strongest possible terms. However, terrorism cannot be a justification for continuing to build illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. The expansion of settlements endangers peace and security for all people in the region equally,” it added.

Israel’s Supreme Planning Council approved the construction of 3,426 new homes in the Jewish-only settlements of Ma’ale Adumim, Efrat and Kedar in the West Bank, two government ministers announced on Wednesday.

According to Palestinian figures, about 725,000 settlers live in 176 Jewish-only settlements and 186 outposts in the occupied West Bank.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in the occupied territories are considered illegal.