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Germany's Merkel opposes boycott of Israel over settlements

25 February 2014 23:58 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel said here Tuesday that Germany opposes a boycott of Israel over its settlement policy in the West Bank, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"We in Germany don't believe that a ban on products would help promote the peace process (between the Israelis and the Palestinians)," Merkel said at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

She added: "it's not an option for us," noting Germany is committed to the EU's debate on whether to label products made in the settlements on Israel's occupied territories in the West Bank.

Merkel, who arrived in Israel for a 24-hour visit on Monday evening with 16 ministers from her cabinet, is slated to meet Israeli President Shimon Peres and parliament opposition leader Yitzhak Herzog from the Labor party.

Her visit comes amid the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Israel and Germany.