The European Union on Wednesday condemned an Israeli plan to build 2,610 new settler homes in annexed east Jerusalem, calling it “highly detrimental” to diplomatic efforts for Israeli-Palestinian peace.
Brussels called on Israel to “urgently reverse” actions leading to settlement expansion in east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians hope to make the capital of a future state alongside Israel.
“This represents a further highly detrimental step that undermines prospects for a two-state solution and calls into question Israel’s commitment to a peaceful negotiated settlement with the Palestinians,” the EU’s diplomatic service said.
The housing units, which have been slated for construction since 2012 in the neighborhood of Givat Hamatos, were given final approval last week, according to the Peace Now watchdog.
The project has also drawn sharp criticism from the United States, with President Barack Obama on Wednesday telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Washington’s deep concern over the proposed development, and from France.
The EU also accused Israel of allowing further settlement expansion in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan.
The 28-country bloc also called on Israel to end decades of settlement building in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, land which Israel seized in the 1967 war with the Arabs and on which the Palestinian want to build a future state.
Israel’s settlement building in the occupied West Bank and annexed east Jerusalem, which is illegal under international law, has caused the breakdown of several rounds of peace talks supported by the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations.
The bloc said future EU-Israel relations depended on how well the Jewish state pursued a lasting peace based on a two-state solution.
-
U.S. 'deeply concerned' about Jerusalem settlement plan
Obama raised the development in face-to-face talks in the Oval Office, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. News -
Netanyahu hits back at Obama over settlements criticism
U.S. warned Israel that East Jerusalem housing project would distance Israel from even its ‘closest allies’ Middle East -
EU urges Israel to ‘reverse’ plans for new settlements
Tenders for nearly 1,500 new settlement houses and plans to advance some 1,800 others were issued Middle East -
Palestinians mull handing territory ‘keys’ back to Israel
Palestinians insist that Israel releases Palestinian prisoners as agreed and freezes settlement building Middle East -
Palestinians move to join U.N. agencies, treaties
Israel refuses to release prisoners and halt settlement building in occupied Palestinian lands Middle East -
U.N. rights chief hits Israel over settlements
Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay says settler violence against Palestinians is a problem Middle East -
Obama urges Netanyahu for decisions on peace
Israeli date showed construction of new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank increased by 123.7 percent last year Middle East -
Radio: U.S. to demand partial Israeli settlement freeze
The United States hopes to obtain a freeze on construction in isolated settlements outside the major West Bank blocs Middle East -
Forget boycotts, Israeli settlement goods should be banned
Israeli settlements are an issue of international law, while BDS is an issue of personal consumer choice Middle East -
Israel approves new settlements in east Jerusalem amid fragile peace talks
Palestinian officials said the decision undermines fragile U.S.-brokered negotiations with Israel Middle East