18/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - EU denounces Israel's decision to declare hundreds of hectares in Zone C “state land”. On Thursday 16 March, the Spokesperson for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Social Security, described Israel's decision to declare 234 hectares of land near Jericho in Zone C (West Bank) as “state land” as “a further step that risks undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state and therefore calls into question Israel's commitment to a two-state solution. While this decision had already been announced on 25 January, it now appears that the land being seized has been considerably expanded” (see EUROPE 11485). According to the Spokesperson, “Any decision that could enable further settlement expansion, which is illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace, will only drive the parties to the conflict even further apart”. The Spokesperson pointed out that the EU remains firmly opposed to Israel's settlement policy and actions taken in this context, including demolitions and confiscations, evictions, forced transfers or restrictions on movement. (CG)