The European Union has strongly condemned Israel’s decision to legalize five settlement outposts and the announcement of thousands of new housing units in the occupied West Bank.
In a press statement released by the EU’s spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Nabila Massrali, voiced the Union’s firm opposition to these moves, highlighting the severe implications they hold for regional stability and peace efforts.
“The European Union condemns the planned so-called legalization of five Israeli settlement outposts and the announcement of thousands of new housing units in the occupied West Bank,” Massrali stated. She emphasized that these actions represent a serious violation of international law, exacerbate existing tensions, and undermine efforts to achieve a two-state solution.
The EU also criticized the ongoing policies of dispossession in the occupied West Bank, which are being implemented by the current Israeli government. Massrali underscored the EU’s stance that efforts to establish facts on the ground, which could lead to a de-facto annexation, must be halted immediately. “The ongoing efforts aiming at establishing facts on the ground and risking to lead to a de-facto annexation must stop,” she asserted.
Reaffirming its longstanding position and adherence to UN Security Council Resolutions, the EU called on Israel to reverse these decisions. “Israel’s policy of building settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories constitutes a serious violation of international law,” Massrali noted. “We call on Israel to reverse these decisions. The EU will not recognize changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed by the parties.”
The statement also highlighted the EU’s support for the Palestinian Authority, urging an end to actions that weaken its governance. “As expressed by its Leaders at last week’s European Council, the EU recalls its support to the Palestinian Authority and stresses that actions weakening the Palestinian Authority must stop,” Massrali said.
Additionally, the EU acknowledged the recent financial transfers to the Palestinian Authority and the renewal of the indemnification arrangement ensuring the West Bank’s financial connectivity. However, it insisted on the timely and complete transfer of tax and custom clearances as per the Paris Protocol. “The European Union takes note of the latest transfers… but it insists that clearances in accordance with the Paris Protocol have to be transferred timely, in full, and without undue deductions to the Palestinian Authority,” Massrali emphasized.
In closing, the EU reiterated its commitment to a two-state solution, envisioning a peaceful coexistence between Israel and an independent Palestinian state. “The EU reiterates its unwavering commitment to lasting and sustainable peace on the basis of the two-State solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign, and viable State of Palestine living side-by-side in peace, security, and mutual recognition,” Massrali concluded.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
