On Wednesday 1 February, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said that the European Union deeply regretted the decision taken by the Israeli government to continue Israel's policy of settlement building.
"The announcement by the Israeli government on 1 February to build an additional 3,000 settlement units, including units deep inside the West Bank" – an announcement that follows those of 22 and 24 January – "marks a very worrying trend", Mogherini says in a press release. In her view, this poses "a direct challenge to the prospects of a viable two-state solution, which is increasingly difficult and risks becoming impossible".
"The European Union is strongly opposed to this policy and deeply regrets that Israel is proceeding with this, despite the continuous serious international concern and objections, which have been constantly raised at all levels", she said. Continued settlement expansion, goes directly against long-standing EU policy and the recommendations of the Quartet report, Mogherini added.
The Middle East peace process will be discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council on 6 February. Furthermore, Brussels is expected to host an EU-Israel Association Council on 28 February – the first in five years. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)