The German parliament passed a resolution urging the government in Berlin to use its close ties with Israel to prevent Tel Aviv from annexing large areas of the occupied West Bank. The three parties in the broad coalition of Chancellor Angela Merkel made this non-binding motion and approved it without opposing the votes. The resolution calls on Berlin to use its own relations and contacts with Tel Aviv, to express the Israeli government their urgent concern and demand to refrain from annexing parts of the West Bank and from the continued expansion of settlements, both of which are contrary to international law. All parliamentary groups, with the exception of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, warned that Israel’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank would harm Israel’s security and hopes for a two-state solution. To check the news, click here