BERLIN: Germany on Wednesday criticized Israeli plans to tighten control over the occupied West Bank as “a further step toward de facto annexation,” as international anger mounts over the move.“Israel remains an occupying power in the West Bank, and as an occupying power it is a violation of international law to build settlements, including transferring certain administrative functions to civilian Israeli authorities,” a German foreign ministry spokesman said in Berlin.

The measures aim to increase Israeli control over the occupied West Bank in terms of property law, planning, licensing and enforcement.

GENEVA: Israel’s plans to tighten control over the occupied West Bank, paving the way for further settlement expansion, are a step toward consolidating illegal annexation, the UN…

BERLIN: Germany on Wednesday criticized Israeli plans to tighten control over the occupied West Bank as “a further step toward de facto annexation,” as international anger mounts…