German chancellor slams Israel's 'provocative' settlement plans

German Chancellor Angela Merkel lashed out at Israel's new settlement plans in occupied East Jerusalem, branding it 'provocative,' government spokesman Steffen Seibert quoted her as saying. In a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Banjamin Netanyahu on Friday, Merkel made clear that the decision to build hundreds of new housing units in East Jerusalem was not acceptable. The chancellor who has repeatedly faced strong public criticism for her unwavering support of the Zionist regime, said Israel's latest settlement plans have triggered doubts whether the Jewish state was even interested in having peace with the Palestinian side. Berlin has time and again called on Tel Aviv to end all settlement activity, saying it threatened a negotiated solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel's announcement to build more settlements in oocupied East Jerusalem follows last-ditch efforts by the US and the European Union to force Israelis and Palestinians to resume so-called peace negotiations. Palestinians have reiterated such talks could not be revived unless the Zionist regime imposes a settlement construction freeze in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.