EU: Israel’s decision to advance plans for housing units in Gilo settlement undermines two-state solution
July 27, 2016
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The EU called on Israel to reverse its decision to advance plans for housing units in Gilo settlement in East Jerusalem and to cease its settlement activity. In a statement issued on Tuesday 26 July, the European Union warned that “Israel’s recent decision to advance plans for some 770 housing units in the settlement of Gilo, built on occupied Palestinian land in East Jerusalem, undermines the viability of a two-state solution.”
“This decision contributes to the establishment ofa ring of Israeli settlements around the city, thus further cutting East Jerusalem off from the southern West Bank”, said the statement recalling that the announcement came “just weeks after the report of the Middle East Quartet called on Israel to abandon its settlement policy, which is illegal under international law.”
“The decision raises legitimate questions about Israel’s long-term intentions, which are compounded by the statements of some Israeli ministers that there should never be a Palestinian state”, the statement underlined. (EU Neighbourhood Info)