The day after the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (see EUROPE 13804/13) condemned the new measures taken by the Israeli security cabinet for the West Bank, High Representative of the EU Kaja Kallas, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica and European Commissioner for Equality; Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib described these measures on Wednesday 11 February as “counter-productive and incompatible with international law”, risking “compromising ongoing international efforts aimed at stabilisation and the advancement of peaceful effort in the region”. In particular, these measures are intended to allow Israelis to buy land in the West Bank, simplify the building procedure for Israeli settlers in Hebron and transfer the administration of certain religious sites to the Israeli authorities.
The High Representative and the Commissioners added, in a statement, that the decisions concerning the implementation of the Hebron Protocol between Israel and the Palestinian Authority jeopardised the sensitive status quo of religious sites.
They warned that the EU would maintain its position of non-recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the territories occupied since June 1967 and stated that the European Union would continue to work with its international partners to achieve the two-state solution.
Ms Kallas, Ms Šuica and Ms Lahbib therefore urged all parties to refrain from any unilateral measures “which increase tensions and further erode the chances of a negotiated solution”. “This is especially important at a time when coordinated international efforts are underway to advance peace and stability in the region”, they stressed. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)