Statement by the spokesperson of High Representative Catherine Ashton on settlement expansion in East Jerusalem (Brussels, 22 August 2012)

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

“The High Representative is seriously concerned about the implications of the recent decision by the Israeli authorities to publish a tender for 130 additional housing units in the settlement of Har Homa across the Green Line in East Jerusalem. The High Representative has already expressed her profound disappointment concerning the Har Homa plan approved in August 2011. Settlements are illegal under international law and threaten to make a two-state solution impossible.

The EU has repeatedly urged the Government of Israel to immediately end all settlement activities in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem.”

See also : 

* Statement by the Spokesperson of High Representative Catherine Ashton on the signing of agreements between Israel and the Palestinian Authority improving the regulation of bilateral trade and taxation

 * Le Parti socialiste européen est opposé à l'attribution d'un statut spécial à Israël