EU: We call on Israel to stop the 'Settlement E1' project as it constitutes a serious provocation

SadaNews translation - The spokesperson for external affairs and security policy of the European Union, Anwar Al-Anoni, stated, "We call on Israel to stop the E1 Settlement project. The announcement of the deadline for submitting bids for the tender for all 3,401 housing units in this project, along with moving forward with the construction of the 'Sovereignty Road', which will allow access to the E1 area, is a serious provocation. The EU also expresses its concern regarding the settlement projects of Atarot and Nahlot Shimon in East Jerusalem."

Al-Anoni added in a statement today, according to SadaNews translation, "The settlement policy pursued by the Israeli government represents an obstacle to peace, involves the risk of increased instability in the West Bank, displaces thousands of Palestinians, fragments the West Bank, encourages more criminal acts by violent settlers, and undermines the prospects for long-term peace and the viability of a two-state solution with Jerusalem as the future capital of the two states."

He continued, "The EU urges the Israeli government to immediately retract the expansion of settlements, which are illegal under international law, following months of accelerating the approval of new settlement plans in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The EU also urges the Israeli government to comply with its obligations under international law and protect the Palestinian population in the occupied territories."