Brussels, 06/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 5 November, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called on Israel to reverse its decision of 3 November approving the construction of 500 new housing units in the East Jerusalem district of Ramat Shlomo. “I call on the Israeli authorities to reverse it and put an end to its settlement policy in East Jerusalem and in the West Bank”, said Mogherini in a press release, regretting that for the moment “the pleas by the EU, by its member states and by many other members of the international community on the issue of the Israeli settlements have remained unheard”.
In Mogherini's view, this decision risks endangering the current efforts to resume the diplomatic process. “This decision represents yet another highly detrimental step which undermines the prospects for a two-state solution and seriously calls into question Israel's commitment to a peaceful negotiated settlement with Palestine”, Mogherini warned. She stated that the international community, including the EU, was engaged in providing assistance for the rehabilitation of Gaza and helping the parties restart a peace process. Mogherini is visiting the Middle East on 7-9 November. (CG)