Germany blocks EU sanctions on Israel over settlement expansion

Germany has announced its opposition to new European Union sanctions on Israel triggered by settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank.

• German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin prefers dialogue with Israel and that any trade restrictions on settlement goods should require consensus among all 27 EU member states.
• EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that the EU Council's legal service considers a qualified majority of 15 states representing 65 percent of the population sufficient to impose trade restrictions.
• Wadephul affirmed that Germany views Israeli settlements as a violation of international law and expects Israel to take firm action against violent settlers.