EU blasts razing of European-funded structures in West Bank

Ten of the structures destroyed by Israeli security forces in the West Bank today were funded by the European Union, the EU’s spokesperson in East Jerusalem says.

The spokesman reiterates to The Times of Israel a statement from EU foreign ministers in January voicing “strong opposition to Israeli settlement policy including demolishing of EU-funded properties in Area C” of the West Bank, where Israel controls both security and civil aspects of Palestinians’ lives.

That statement read as follows:

Recalling that settlements are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two state solution impossible, the EU reiterates its strong opposition to Israel’s settlement policy and actions taken in this context, such as building the separation barrier beyond the 1967 line, demolitions and confiscation — including of EU funded projects — evictions, forced transfers including of Bedouins, illegal outposts and restrictions of movement and access. It urges Israel to end all settlement activity and to dismantle the outposts erected since March 2001, in line with prior obligations. Settlement activity in East Jerusalem seriously jeopardizes the possibility of Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both States.

— Raphael Ahren