Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton on Settlement Expansion in East Jerusalem (Brussels - 12 August 2011)

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, made today the following statement :

" It is with deep regret that, once again, I received information of the publicly stated intention of the Israeli government to continue settlement expansion in East Jerusalem.

The EU has repeatedly called on Israel to end all settlement activity, including natural growth, and to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001.

Settlement activity threatens the viability of an agreed two-state solution and undermines ongoing efforts to resume negotiations. "

See also : Israël et la notion de « frontières défendables »