Germany and France condemn Netanyahu's announcement: "Concerned about construction on Hill plane"

The foreign ministries of both countries went against the prime minister's declaration of approval to build thousands of housing units across the Green Line, saying that it "strives for a two-state solution" and is contrary to international law. The plan was delayed for a long time in light of opposition from the Netanyahu Bureau and pressure from the international community

Germany and France condemn Netanyahu's announcement: "Concerned about construction on Hill plane"

Germany and France today condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement of approval for the construction of thousands of new housing units in Har Homa and the Hill of Planes in the Jerusalem area, beyond the Green Line. The German Foreign Ministry expressed "deep concern" at Netanyahu's announcement. "The new settlements undermine the prospect of a Palestinian state based on a two-state solution to be reached through negotiations," Germany said.

Things in a similar vein were said by the French Ministry of European Affairs and Foreign Affairs, which urged Israel to "reconsider" its decision as well as to avoid unilateral witnesses. "Expanding these two settlements undermines the feasibility of a future Palestinian state, as the EU has repeated on several occasions," said France, who noted that "any form of settlement is illegal under international law and challenges the two-state solution."

The French ministry added that "a two-state solution, with both countries living in peace and security with recognized borders, and Jerusalem being the capital of both countries, is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace in the region."

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Netanyahu and Leon in Jerusalem, yesterday (Photo: Roni Kanfo)

PM Netanyahu on Mount Homa February 20, 2020 (Photo: Roni Kanfo)

European condemnation comes in response to Netanyahu's comments yesterday that he visited the area yesterday with Minister Yariv Levin and Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon, and announced a building permit for 2,000 housing units for a mountain wall. He added that the neighborhood "will have 50,000 residents, like a mediocre city in Israel." The prime minister also said that "the biggest news is that today I also approved the construction on the hill of the plane. This means another 4,000 housing units: a thousand for Arab residents of Beit Safafa and 3,000 for Jewish residents."

The publication of the tender and the promotion of Netanyahu's plans were delayed for a long time because of opposition from his bureau and fear of international pressure. For years, the international community has been pressurizing construction on the Hill Hill for claiming that it will cut off a trivial continuum between Palestinian neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, and its promotion may criticize Israel in Europe.

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Netanyahu said yesterday: "We did it then in the face of fierce international opposition. We overcame all the obstacles and did it, and see what we did to Jerusalem. We connect Jerusalem, connect all parts of United Jerusalem, Jerusalem is built. It is a great pride and great news for every nation. Israel".

"Peace Now" map of the construction plans on the Hill of the Plane

Peace Now map with plans to build housing units in Har Homa (Photo: -, official website)

His declaration also drew condemnation from the Peace Now movement, which said it was a "severe blow to the two-state solution." The movement added that "such a policy change cannot pass in a transitional government without a mandate from the public." In addition, the City of Amim Association said that "this is another step in the back of the 'deal within the deal', according to the US ambassador, of eliminating Ein Booth from unilateral measures that Israel will take under the auspices of the 'Deal of the Century' and further erode the future prospect of a two-state solution."