Israel/Palestine: Statement by the Spokesperson on settlements in the West Bank

We call on Israel to halt the E1 settlement project. The publication of the deadline for offers in the tender launched for all 3,401 housing units under this plan, as well as the advancement of the "Sovereignty Road" construction that would establish access to the E1 area constitute a serious provocation. The EU is also concerned about the Atarot and the Nahalat Shimon settlement plans in East Jerusalem.

The Israeli government’s settlement policy represents an obstacle to peace, carries the risk for further instability in the West Bank, displacement of thousands of Palestinians, fragmentation of the West Bank, encourages further actions by violent settlers and further undermines prospects for long term peace and the viability of the two-state solution with Jerusalem as the future capital of both states.

The EU urges the Government of Israel to immediately reverse the expansion of settlements, which are illegal under international law, following months of acceleration and intensification of approvals of new settlement plans in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem. The EU urges the Government of Israel to abide by its obligations under international law and to protect the Palestinian population of the occupied territories.