On Friday 7 October, the European Union criticised the fact that the Israeli authorities have authorised the construction of 98 housing units near the Shiloh settlement in the West Bank, and the construction of an Israeli industrial zone near Ramallah.
A spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) criticised the decision to continue to build and expand the settlements, stating that this goes directly against the recommendations of the Quartet report (see EUROPE 11585) and undermines rather than increases the prospect of a two-state solution, making the possibility of a viable Palestinian state even less likely. The spokesperson went on to stress that the settlements were illegal under international law.
According to the EEAS spokesperson, this latest decision confirms the accelerated trend of new announcements of settlements since the start of this year, which may further separate Ramallah from Nablus and thus further compromise the contiguity of a future Palestinian state. The spokesperson added that the redefinition of the borders of the settlements was at odds with public statements issued by the Israeli government saying that there was no intention of creating any new settlements. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)