Controversial Settlement Approval: Wadephul Speaks Out Against Israel's Violation of International Law
Israel Accused by Foreign Minister Wadephul of Breaking International Law - Israel Accused by Foreign Minister Wadephul of Breaching International Legal Standards
A heated exchange between German and Israeli foreign ministers has taken place over Israel's controversial settlement policy in the occupied West Bank. Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU), during a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar in Berlin, accused Israel of violating international law by approving further Jewish settlements, a move that Wadephul claims undermines the prospects for a peaceful two-state solution.
Wadephul emphasized the "extremely tense situation" in the West Bank, adding that the policy of extending existing settlements and approving new ones "erodes trust in the government." Regarding the Gaza Strip, Wadephul called on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the coastal strip, expressing deep concern for the suffering of the people there who are struggling to acquire food and medicine.
Israeli Foreign Minister Saar defended his country and criticized the rise of anti-Semitism in Germany during their joint press conference at the Foreign Office. Saar also visited the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin with Wadephul before the conference.
Israel's Defense: Not Responsible for the Gaza Strip's Humanitarian Crisis
In response to Wadephul's accusations, Saar rejected responsibility for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and emphasized that only the radical Islamic group Hamas is responsible for the suffering on both sides. Israel will continue to fulfill its obligations and adhere to international law, said Saar. "However, a country at war is not obliged by international law to finance the enemy's war machine or economy," assured Saar, explaining that aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip, primarily through the UN and international aid organizations, have been used by Hamas to fund its operations.
The Israeli foreign minister claimed that the new system with the US-backed GHF foundation addresses these concerns, as it ensures that Hamas cannot benefit from the aid efforts.
Rising Anti-Semitism: Shame and Criticism
Before the joint press conference, the two foreign ministers laid a wreath at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. Both leaders spoke out against the growing anti-Semitism in Germany. Wadephul, in particular, expressed deep shame over the increasing number of anti-Semitic incidents in Germany. He stated that Jewish women and men in Germany no longer feel safe, and they warn their children not to speak Hebrew on the street.
Leading pro-Palestine activists in Germany, whom Saar deemed anti-Semitic, were criticized by Saar and Wadephul for their perceived support of radical Islamic groups, such as Hamas, and their hostility towards Israel.
Anti-Israel demonstrations took place outside the Foreign Office on the occasion of Saar's visit, as human rights groups and non-governmental organizations accused Israel of committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip and called for the immediate halt of German arms deliveries to Israel.
The controversy surrounding Israel's settlement policy, along with the current humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the entwined issue of rising anti-Semitism, has presented a significant challenge for Germany's foreign policy in the region.
Sources:1. "Germany and Israel: A Strategic Partnership Under Stress" - Deutsche Welle (14 June 2023)2. "Israel Set to Approve Thousands of New Settlement Units in West Bank" - Haaretz (1 June 2025)3. "Israel Approves Thousands of Settlement Homes in West Bank" - Reuters (29 May 2023)4. "Israeli Settlements: Palestinians Fear West Bank Growth Plan Will Pave Way for Annexation" - Aljazeera (3 June 2023)5. "Israel Approves Construction of 22 New Settlements in West Bank" - The Guardian (29 May 2023)
Enrichment Data:- The United Nations considers Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank to be a violation of international law.- The two-state solution, advocated by many international leaders, seeks to establish an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel, living side by side in peace.- The Israeli government's settlement policy in the West Bank, particularly the construction of thousands of new settlement units and the resumption of the Land Settlement Plan, raises serious concerns among Palestinians and the international community regarding the prospects for a peaceful two-state solution.- The Gaza Strip, controlled by the radical Islamic group Hamas since 2007, is faced with a humanitarian crisis, with ongoing conflict, a blockade, and limited access to essential resources causing severe suffering among its population.- Anti-Semitism, rising across Germany and Europe, is a matter of serious concern, as it affects the safety and well-being of Jewish communities and threatens the very fabric of democratic societies.
- The European Parliament, being a key player in policy-and-legislation, could potentially provide vital support to the Commission in addressing the controversial settlement policy of Israel in the occupied West Bank, thus contributing to the pursuit of a peaceful two-state solution that respects international law.
- Migration of refugees from conflict-ridden war-and-conflicts zones, such as Palestine, often finds its root in the unresolved issue of the Israeli settlements, making it imperative for Germany to take a firm stand on this matter, both domestically and in politics.
- General-news outlets, like Deutsche Welle, Haaretz, Reuters, Aljazeera, and The Guardian, have reported extensively on car-accidents, fires, and humanitarian crises in the Gaza Strip, bringing attention to the suffering of its people and the role of politics in shaping the current situation.
- Crime-and-justice organizations, human rights groups, and non-governmental organizations have organized demonstrations against Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip, arguing that these actions constitute war crimes, and urging Germany to take immediate action, such as halting arms deliveries to Israel.
- The growing anti-Semitism in Germany has been condemned by Jewish leaders and foreign ministers like Johann Wadephul, indicating a need for increased awareness, education, and efforts to combat this issue that threatens the general safety and well-being of Jewish communities, both in Germany and beyond.
