Fifteen European countries today expressed concern about the decision of the Israeli Higher Planning Council to advance plans for the construction of more than 4.000 housing units in the West Bank. “We urge the Israeli authorities to reverse this decision.”
“The new housing units would constitute an additional obstacle to the two-state solution. Israeli settlements are in clear violation of international law and stand in the way of a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” said a joint statement issued by Spokespersons of the Foreign Ministries of France, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, and Sweden.
This decision, as well as demolitions and evictions affecting the Palestinian populations in East Jerusalem and Area C, directly threaten the viability of a future Palestinian state, said the joint statement.
In this respect, we also urge the Israeli authorities not to proceed with any planned demolitions or evictions, especially in Masafer Yatta, they concluded.0
Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA)