The EU is urging Israel to shelve plans to build 850 new apartments in the West Bank, saying such projects are hurting the peace process.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Friday she deplored the government’s decision to go ahead with the new construction, adding that such settlements “threaten to make the two-state solution impossible.”
On Wednesday, Israel said it would build the units in West Bank settlements. The announcement came after the Knesset rejected a legislation attempt to prevent the demolition of an outpost that the Supreme Court said was built illegally on privately held Palestinian land.
The move has sparked criticism from many countries including the US, Britain, Germany, France and Turkey. The Palestinian Authority has also condemned the decision, calling it a “gross provocation,” in a complaint letter to the UN Security Council.
Palestinians have refused to resume negotiations while Israel builds on land they claim for a future state. Israel says settlements and other core issues should be resolved through talks.
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