EU CRITICIZES ZIONIST ENTITY OVER SETTLEMENTS

Brussels, , 21 Jumadil Awwal 1435/22 March 2014 (MINA) – European Union’s chief foreign policy official Catherine Ashton has said she is “disappointed” by an Israeli occupation decision to build more settlement units in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The EU official released a statement on Friday criticizing Israeli occupation plans to expand settlements with 2,300 housing units, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“Any unilateral action prejudging final-status issues threatens the current peace negotiations and, as a consequence, the two-state solution and this has been repeatedly stressed by the international community,” Ashton said.

Remarking that the international community and the EU have warned Israel against actions that undermine the current negotiations, Ashton urged the Israeli government to reconsider plans and to reverse their decision.

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“The current peace talks represent a unique opportunity for both Israelis and Palestinians. A final peace agreement will bring huge benefits to both peoples. Such a historic opportunity should not be squandered,” she added.

The Israeli occupation Central Bureau of Statistics announced earlier this month that the construction of settlements in areas claimed by Palestinians more than doubled in 2013 compared to 2012. The U.N. has expressed concern regarding any movement toward approval of settlement projects in East Jerusalem.

The European Union has also urged the Israeli occupation regime to ease access restrictions to the Gaza Strip, which has been under a Tel Aviv-imposed blockade since 2007.

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A report commissioned by EU consuls-general in East al-Quds (Jerusalem) and Ramallah made the call on Tel Aviv, especially in light of an unprecedented crackdown by the new Egyptian regime on Gaza’s western border.

“Today, Gaza is facing a dangerous and pressing humanitarian and economic situation… (including) the cessation of imports of construction materials; rising unemployment, rising prices and increased food insecurity,” the report said.

“If left unaddressed, the situation could have serious consequences for stability in Gaza,” it said.

“Israel bears the prime responsibility for the situation in Gaza,” it said, adding that a seventh consecutive year of blockading the strip had caused “further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and of the economic and social conditions.”

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The report highlighted the economic damage caused by both the blockade, and Egypt’s destruction of hundreds of cross-border tunnels after the July ouster of President Mohamed Morsi.

“For several years, these tunnels kept Gaza’s economy afloat… accounting for more than 80 percent of Gaza’s supply of construction materials, medical supplies, food, and other goods,” it said. (T/P04/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)