Angela Merkel
Photo: AFP
Germany 'disappointed' in Israel's Regulation Law
Political backlash to Israel's adoption of the Regulation Law continues as Germany issues a statement questioning Israeli government's commitment to two states; 'The confidence we had in the Israeli Government’s commitment to the two-state solution has been profoundly shaken.'
Germany joined a host of nations and world leaders Tuesday in condemning
the Israeli Knesset’s adoption of the Regulation Law a day earlier, by issuing a frank condemnation and expressing its “disappointment by this turn of events.”
Echoing the statements of practically every country which came out against the law, which will legalize thousands of outpost homes in the West Bank that are built on privately-owned Palestinian land, the Germans reiterated their support for a negotiated two-state solution.
“Only a negotiated two-state solution can bring durable peace and is in Israel’s interest. It remains a fundamental tenet of our Middle East policy,” the statement insisted.
Prime Minister Netanyahu with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (Photo: AFP)
In this vein, it went on to say that Israel’s decision had forced them to reconsider whether the country remained truly committed to achieving such an outcome.
“The confidence we had in the Israeli Government’s commitment to the two-state solution has been profoundly shaken.”
While remaining one of Israel’s most stalwart allies, particularly in Europe, the statement said that Germany’s disappointment in Israel’s decision prevailed in public circles, despite the fact that “many people in Germany ... stand firmly by Israel’s side in a spirit of heartfelt solidarity.”
Moreover, it cited Attorney General Avichai Mandleblit’s consistent opposition to the law as further evidence of the law’s incompatibility with legal limitations, even by Israel’s standards, before suggesting that it undergo another review.
“In view of the many reservations which the Israeli Attorney General, among others, has affirmed once more, it would be good if the bill could soon undergo a critical legal review.”
The statement concluded by expressing hope that Israel would recommit itself to a two-state solution and rein in members in the political echelons openly calling for annexation.
“We hope and expect that the Israeli Government will renew its commitment to a negotiated two-state solution and underpin this with practical steps, as called for by the Middle East Quartet.
“Following the disconcerting comments by individual members of the Israeli Government, who have openly called for the annexation of parts of the West Bank and are preparing bills to this end, this is now a question of credibility.”
Following the torrent of global criticism against Israel throughout Tuesday, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini also issued a statement slamming Israel’s move.
MKs voted in favor of the Regulation Bill Monday evening in the Knesset plenum during its second and third readings. The vote, which passed by a majority of 60-52, came after hours of heated committee discussions and after months of political maneuvering.
