The spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS) condemned on Tuesday evening, 17 September, the approval by the Israeli government on 15 September of a proposal to establish a new settlement, Mevo'ot Yericho, which is currently an outpost in the Jordan Valley.
In a statement, the spokesperson called on the Hebrew state to “end all settlement activity and to dismantle the outposts erected since March 2001, in line with prior obligations". “All settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law”, the spokesperson explained once again.
The approval follows recent announcements regarding the possible annexation of the Jordan Valley and the northern part of the Dead Sea. "Such steps would, if implemented, constitute a serious breach of international law, challenge the viability of the two-state solution and threaten regional stability and the prospects for sustainable peace", recalled the spokesperson. They warned that "the EU will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties".
The EEAS spokesperson warned that the EU would continue to monitor the situation closely, including any steps towards possible annexation, and act accordingly. "We expect both parties, including any future Israeli government, to act in accordance with international law", the spokesperson said.
Israel held parliamentary elections on 17 September. On Wednesday, when more than 92% of the ballots had been counted, Benjamin Netanyahu's party, Likud, and Benny Gantz's centrist Kahol Lavan (blue-white) party were neck and neck, each winning 32 of the 120 seats in the Knesset. Each party, with its respective allies, is unable to achieve a majority of 61 members. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)