On 22 October, Heads of Mission and representatives from the EU, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, visited the sensitive areas of Givat Hamatos, Har Homa, and the E-1 area in East Jerusalem. In these areas, Israel has taken significant steps towards advancing settlements with the recent announcement of an additional 5000 housing units in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The Heads of Mission and representatives met residents, community representatives and civil society organisations active in the communities. Interlocutors presented the challenges and humanitarian hardship facing the inhabitants incurred by settlements, demolitions, and the separation barrier.
The European Union Member States and likeminded partner countries represented here today are concerned about the continued settlement expansion and the constant threat of demolition of property and eviction faced by the local communities.” said the European Union Representative Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff.
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