Brussels, 28/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 27 October, the European Union stated that if the Israeli government's decision was confirmed to continue settlement expansion in East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank, this would be “an ill-judged and ill-timed” decision that the EU would condemn “exactly as we condemned recently the one concerning Givat-Hamatos” (see EUROPE 11169).
“We call for the urgent reversal of this decision”, said Maja Kocijancic, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. In Kocijancic's opinion, if this decision is confirmed “it will call once again into serious question Israel's commitment to a negotiated solution with the Palestinians”. The European Union has called for clarification on this decision. “The future development of relations between the EU and Israel will depend on the latter's engagement towards a lasting peace based on a two-state solution”, Kocijancic warned.
On 27 October, the Israeli government announced the acceleration of building in East Jerusalem with a thousand new housing units. Nearly 400 units are due to be built in the settlement of Har Homa, and around 600 in Ramat Shlomo. According to Israeli press, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also reportedly given his agreement to a series of worksites in the West Bank and to 2,000 building permits being issued. (CG)