German Catholic Church blasts \'irresponsible settlement policy\'

Germany\'s Catholic Church lambasted the Zionist regime for what it saw as its \'irresponsible settlement policy,\' press reports said here Wednesday. The Bishop of the southwestern German city of Trier Stephan Ackermann expressed support for an upgraded diplomatic status of Palestine in the UN, saying it was understandable there was mounting impatience among Palestinians given \'Israel\'s irresponsible settlement policy.\' The illegal Jewish state has stepped up its settlement and ethnic cleansing plans in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, triggering international condemnation and protests. On Tuesday, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton lashed out at Israel\'s decision to build hundreds of new homes in the Jewish settlement of Gilo in occupied East Jerusalem. \'The EU has repeatedly called on Israel to end all settlement activity, including natural growth, and to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001. Settlement activity threatens the viability of an agreed two-state solution and raises questions about Israel\'s stated commitment to resume negotiations,” Ashton was quoted saying.