EU condemns Israel's plans to further expand illegal settlements in occupied West Bank

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - In a strong rebuke of Israel's recent plans to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, the EU on Thursday issued a condemnation, saying the plans only serve to obstruct efforts for peace.

"The EU urges Israel to reverse these decisions. The EU reiterates that settlements are illegal under international law and constitute an obstacle to peace, as they threaten the two-state solution," it said in a statement.

The statement followed Israel’s High Planning Committee greenlighting plans for over 3,426 more housing units across the occupied West Bank.

The EU also underscored the inconsistency of expanding settlements with ongoing efforts to reduce tensions, particularly as the religious observations of Muslims’ Ramadan, the Jewish Passover, and the Christian Easter approach. The EU stressed the importance of easing tensions during such sensitive times.

"The EU’s position remains unchanged: it will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties," it added.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in the occupied territories – including the West Bank – are considered illegal.

Israel has waged a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian group Hamas, which Tel Aviv said killed nearly 1,200 people.

At least 30,800 Palestinians have since been killed and nearly 73,000 others injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities.

Israel has also imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving its population, particularly residents of northern Gaza, on the verge of starvation.

About 85% of Gazans have been displaced by the Israeli onslaught amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.