The EU High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy Federica Mogherini said the EU condemns the recent adoption of the “Regularisation Law” by the Israeli Knesset on 6 February. “This law crosses a new and dangerous threshold by legalising under Israeli law the seizure of Palestinian property rights and effectively authorising the confiscation of privately owned Palestinian land in occupied territory,” said Mogherini.

“The law may provide for “legalising” numerous settlements and outposts previously considered as illegal even under Israeli law, which would be contrary to previous commitments by Israeli governments and illegal under international law,” she added.

The High Representative underlined that by passing this new law, the Israeli parliament “has legislated on the legal status of land within occupied territory, which is an issue that remains beyond its jurisdiction” warning that the implementation of this law “would further entrench a one-state reality of unequal rights, perpetual occupation and conflict.”
 

Mogherini recalled the EU’s position on settlements: “The EU, also in line with recently adopted UN Security Council resolution 2334, considers Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory to be illegal under international law and condemns the recent settlement announcements. As identified in the recommendations of the report by the Middle East Quartet, such settlements constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten the viability of a two-state solution.”

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Statement

Quartet Report

Council conclusions on Middle East Peace Process (20-06-2016)

EEAS – The EU and the Middle East Peace Process

European Parliament – The EU and the Middle East peace process