On Friday 16 January, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS), Anouar El Anouni, described as a “serious provocation” the continuation of the E1 settlement project, with the launch by the Israeli authorities of the call for tenders for the construction of 3,401 housing units and the progress of the construction of the road leading to this area located in occupied Palestinian territory.
“We call on Israel to halt the E1 settlement project”, stressed Mr El Anouni in a statement.
This project aims to make the creation of the State of Palestine impossible by cutting off the occupied West Bank from East Jerusalem.
The EU is also “concerned” about the Atarot and Nahalat Shimon settlement projects in East Jerusalem.
The spokesperson emphasised that it is“illegal under international law”, and that Israel’s settlement policy must cease “immediately”. It “represents an obstacle to peace” by exacerbating instability in the West Bank, displacing thousands of Palestinians and encouraging violent action by settlers. And to urge Israel to “protect the Palestinian population of the occupied territories”. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)