New foreign affairs minister Frans Timmermans made it clear on Wednesday the Dutch government does not support Israel’s plans to build new housing in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Earlier this week it emerged the Israeli government wants to build 1,285 houses in eastern Jerusalem and on the West Bank, both predominantly Palestinian areas.
Timmers said in a short statement settlement in occupied areas contravenes international law.
Two-state solution
‘It undermines the two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state would exist side-by-side in peace and security,’ Timmermans said.
He also said the Netherlands would continue to invest in a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, through which the interests and concerns of both Israel and Palestinians are taken into account.
The condemnation is a change of direction by the new government. The previous coalition took a stronger pro-Israel line due, in part, to alliance partner and anti-Islam campaigner Geert Wilders.

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