EU condemns expansion of Israeli settlements
Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, condemned Israel's announcement of new construction in the Givat Hamatos and Har Homa neighborhoods in Al-Quds.
Iran Press/Europe: The European Union, on Saturday criticized Israeli plans to expand illegal settlements built in the occupied Palestinian territory and called on Israel to comply with international law.
As set out clearly on numerous occasions by the European Union, including in Council conclusions, such steps would cut the geographic and territorial contiguity between Al-Quds and Bethlehem, isolate Palestinian communities living in these areas, and threaten the viability of a two-state solution, with Al-Quds as the capital of both states, EEAS reported.
Settlements are illegal under international law. The EU will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Al-Quds, other than those agreed by the parties. We call on Israel to reconsider these plans.
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the unlawful construction project on Thursday. More than 600,000 Israeli settlers currently live in the West Bank and East al-Quds, which are occupied by Israel. While the UN classifies the colonies as violating international law, US President Donald Trump's Middle East plan promises to recognize all of the existing illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
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