Brussels, 30/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday evening 29 July, the European Union criticised the Israeli decisions to expand its settlements. It also urged the Israeli government to “to urgently reverse recent decisions and put an end to settlement expansion”.
The decisions by the Israeli authorities in question involve the construction of 300 new accommodation units in the Beit-El settlement in the north of Jerusalem, which was formally approved on Tuesday 28 July. At the same time, the services of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu have announced a preliminary agreement for the construction of more than 500 accommodation units in the Jewish quarters of East Jerusalem.
In a press release, the spokesperson for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, criticised these decisions in a press release and said: “The recent decisions of the Israeli authorities to further advance settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem call into question the Israeli government's stated commitment to a negotiated two-state solution in the Middle East Peace Process”.
She also explained that the Israeli government plans to consider the approval of unauthorized outposts across the West Bank, considered illegal under international law, would further undermine the practical possibility of implementing the two-state solution.
She underlined that “The EU expects the Israeli government to demonstrate its commitment to the two-state solution not only in words, but also through its actions”. Recalling that all settlements are illegal under international law, the spokesperson reiterated the EU's strong commitment to ensure compliance with international law as a cornerstone of peace and security.
On 20 July, the EU Foreign Affairs Council (see EUROPE 11363) reaffirmed that the EU strongly opposed the building of the separation barrier beyond the 1967 line, demolitions and confiscations - including of EU-funded projects- evictions, forced transfers including of Bedouins, illegal outposts, settler violence and restrictions of movement and access. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)