Merkel urges all sides to contribute to de-escalation in Middle East

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that a two-state solution was the best way to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and called on all sides to contribute to a de-escalation of the situation in the Middle East.

Merkel made the remarks during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Berlin.

"We believe that it would be important to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and we continue to believe that a two-state solution is the best way to do this," the chancellor told reporters, adding that the settlement construction is therefore "counterproductive".

She said she hoped that all sides would make their contributions to help de-escalate the current situation in the Middle East.

Speaking of the latest wave of violence in the region, Merkel expressed her deep condolences for the victims of the violence.

Israel, said Merkel, "has the obligation to protect its own citizens", however, "the principle of proportionality should always play a role regarding the security measures."

Netanyahu's visit to Berlin comes amid a new wave of violence in the Middle East, which has claimed the lives of 10 Israelis and more than 40 Palestinians, in the form of lone wolf attacks by Palestinians against Israelis in east Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

In addition to his meeting with Merkel, Netanyahu is also set to meet with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry here on Thursday. Enditem