BERLIN, January 24, 2017 (WAFA) – Germany on Monday expressed great concern regarding Israeli plans to build 566 new housing units in East Jerusalem, describing the move as a violation of international law.

“We are following these developments with great concern,” said a foreign ministry spokesperson. “Settlements in the occupied territories, and also in East Jerusalem, violate international law and endanger a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, which can be achieved only through the two-state solution based on negotiations.”

The spokesperson urged Israelis and Palestinians “to refrain from unilateral measures that can cause new escalation,” and called on them “to renew their commitment to the two-state solution and to prove that by means of concrete measures.”

The Construction and Planning Committee of the Israeli municipality of West Jerusalem issued building permits for 566 housing units in occupied East Jerusalem settlements and it is planning hundreds more in the near future.

West Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat believes that unlike previous American administrations, the new administration, which took office on Friday, supports settlement activities in the occupied territories and therefore it will not object to settlement expansion.

K.T./M.K.