EU Rejects New Israeli Settlements on Palestinian Lands

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Federica Mogherini.

Brussels, MINA — The EU condemned Thursday Israeli plans to build over a thousand settlement units and publication of tenders for over 800 units throughout the West Bank.

“If implemented (it) would further jeopardise the prospect of a contiguous and viable future Palestinian state,” KUNA reported, quoting Maja Kocijancic, a spokesperson for EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, in a statement tonight.

“The European Union’s position on Israeli settlement construction and related activities is clear and has not changed: all settlement activity is illegal under international law, and it undermines the viability of the two-state solution and the prospects for a lasting peace,” she stressed.

The EU expects, she said, that Israeli authorities to reconsider and reverse these decisions.

The EU will continue to engage with both parties and with its international and regional partners, including within the Quartet, with Norway as Chair of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee on Palestine, and with Arab countries, to support a resumption of a meaningful process towards a negotiated two-state solution, added the spokesperson.

Earlier, the UK urged Israel to “reconsider” the move it described as “illegal,” warning it would undermine the viability of a two-state solution. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)