EU CALLS ON ISRAEL TO HALT SETTLEMENT EXPANSION

Brussel, 16 Shawwal 1436/1 August 2015 (MINA) – In the wake of the Israeli government’s announcement that it is going to build more than 800 new housing units in settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, the EU has called on Israel to halt all such expansion.

The Europeans believe that an increase in the size of the illegal settlements, reported Qudsnet, undermines the prospects for an end to the conflict based on a two-state solution.

“The latest decision of the Israeli authorities to expand settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem puts the Israeli obligation to the two-state solution and talks for the peace process in question,” an EU statement said. Middle East Monitor (Memo) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

“The plans of the Israeli government to approve illegal settlements in the West Bank undermine any possibility for the two-state solution.”

The EU expects the Israeli government to prove its commitment to the two-state solution by action, not only by words.

It reiterated that all settlements are illegal based on international law and renewed Europe’s position that being committed to uphold the law is the basis for peace and stability.

The Europeans also stressed their objections to Israel’s settlement policy and all related measures, such as building the Separation (Apartheid) Wall behind the 1967 borders, destroying crops, the forcible displacement of Palestinians, settlers’ violence and restrictions of movement for the Palestinians. (T/P002/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)