German minister ensures weapons for Israel, but slams settler policy

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul assured his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar of continued weapons deliveries, while calling for increased humanitarian aid for Gaza and slamming Israel's settlement policy in the occupied West Bank.

"Germany has an obligation for the security and existence of the State of Israel and Germany is also committed to international law. These are two sides of the same coin," Wadephul said during a meeting with Saar in Berlin.

Israel was under attack from terrorist organizations and Iran, meaning it was self-evident that the country must be able to defend itself, Wadephul said, adding that this was the reason why "Germany will continue to support Israel by supplying weapons."

At the same time, Wadephul said the humanitarian aid reaching the Gaza Strip at the moment was "too little."

He reiterated an "urgent request to allow humanitarian aid for Gaza in accordance with the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence and without restrictions."

Wadephul welcomed plans for the new aid distribution system operated by the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to be expanded and combined with the functioning distribution mechanism involving the UN and other international aid organizations.

But he found sharp words for Israeli's expansionist settlement policy in the West Bank, calling the government's recent decision to build another 22 settlements in the Palestinian territory "a violation of international law in this form."

Wadephul said the move obstructs the path to a two-state solution which envisions Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in two separate states, a vision that both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian extremist group Hamas reject.

Wadephul also said calls from within the Israeli Cabinet for the annexation of the West Bank posed a "considerable risk for Israel's reputation."