More than 400 former diplomats, ministers, and senior officials urge the European Union to “act now” against Israel’s “illegal” settlements in the West Bank.
The open letter comes as Israel intends to move forward with E1, a new construction project covering around 12 square kilometers (4.6 square miles) with some 3,400 housing units in the West Bank.
“The EU and its member states, together with partners, must take immediate action to deter Israel from further advancing its illegal annexation of Palestinian land in the West Bank,” says the letter.
It is signed by more than 440 figures, including former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt.
The signatories call for targeted sanctions, such as visa bans and business restrictions, on “all those engaged in illegal settlement activity,” calling for measures against those promoting or implementing the E1 scheme.
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