Israel, Germany clash on settlements

7 Dec 2012, 6:44 am   -   Source: AAP
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France, Britain, Spain, the European Union, Denmark, Sweden, Australia and Egypt have all summoned the Israeli ambassadors to protest the settlement plans, which also drew criticism from Russia and Japan. (AAP)

France, Britain, Spain, the European Union, Denmark, Sweden, Australia and Egypt have all summoned the Israeli ambassadors to protest the settlement plans, which also drew criticism from Russia and Japan. (AAP)

Israel and Germany have reaffirmed their ties despite disagreeing on the Jewish state's intention to build 3000 new settler homes in the West Bank.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has clashed with German Chancellor Angela Merkel over new Jewish settlements, but both were at pains to stress their unshakable ties.

On a visit that had risked being overshadowed by the diplomatic storm that has strained relations with close allies, Netanyahu joined Merkel for a meeting between most of their cabinet ministers after a private dinner late on Wednesday.

Merkel told reporters at a joint news conference on Thursday that Germany, like other Western partners, hoped Israel would drop plans to build more than 3000 settler homes on a strategic strip of occupied Palestinian land.

"On the question of settlements, we are agreed that we are not agreed," she said with a wry smile, looking at Netanyahu.

Netanyahu insisted his settlements policy did not mark a radical new departure, and were merely picking up where other Israeli governments had left off. He said the homes would remain even in a two-state solution with the Palestinians.

Netanyahu said Israel would continue to seek an accord with the Palestinians.

"Israel remains fully committed to achieving peace with the Palestinians based on the principle of two states for two peoples," he said.

"I haven't given up on it."

The Israeli leader arrived from Prague, where he had singled out the Czech Republic for its "friendship and courage" as the only European state to have opposed a Palestinian status upgrade at the United Nations last week.

Setting a bitter tone for the Merkel meeting, Netanyahu had told Thursday's German daily, Die Welt, he was "disappointed" that Berlin had abstained from voting at the UN despite reported pleas by Israel to reject the Palestinian resolution.

But at the press conference, he repeatedly thanked Germany and Merkel personally for unwavering support of Israel's security.

"I want to make it absolutely clear that I have no doubt whatsoever about your commitment to Jewish security and the well-being of the Jewish state," he said.

France, Britain, Spain, the European Union, Denmark, Sweden, Australia and Egypt have all summoned the Israeli ambassadors to protest the settlement plans, which also drew criticism from Russia and Japan.

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