Statement on the Israeli announcement to build 2.500 settlement units

The European Union condemned on 24 January 2017 the decision by Israel's government to build 2.500 settlement units across the West Bank, and to approve building permits for 566 settlement units in East Jerusalem. A spokesperson considered such decisions to seriously undermine the prospects for a viable two-state solution.

The EU stood by a negotiated two-state solution as the only way to fulfil the legitimate aspirations of both parties and to achieve enduring peace. It reaffirmed that continued settlement expansion, illegal under international law as reaffirmed by UN Security Council Resolution 2334, went directly against long-standing EU policy and the recommendations of the Quartet Report.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Conference for peace in the Middle East, Paris, 15 January 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/conference-for-peace-in-the-middle-east-paris-15-january-2017/

ESO: Background information: After the UN, the EU must lead the way on Israeli settlements http://www.europeansources.info/record/after-the-un-the-eu-must-lead-the-way-on-israeli-settlements/

EUObserver, 25.01.17: EU 'mumbles and grumbles' on Israeli settlements https://euobserver.com/foreign/136667

EU: EEAS: Israel and the European Union https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/1337/israel-and-eu_en

EU: EEAS: Topics: Middle East Peace Process https://eeas.europa.eu/topics/middle-east-peace-process_en

EurActiv, 24.01.17: New Israeli settlements ‘seriously undermine’ peace, EU says http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/new-israeli-settlements-seriously-undermine-peace-eu-says/

Haaretz, 24.01.17: Settlers Join EU, Palestinians and Jordan in Denouncing Netanyahu's Settlement Plans http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.767276

Haaretz, 24.01.17: Israel Approves Construction and Planning of 2,500 Settler Homes in West Bank http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.767203

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