EU Urges Israel to Halt West Bank Settlement Project

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The European Union on Friday, January 16, urged Israel to immediately stop the E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, warning that the latest steps to encourage settlement expansion threaten peace and stability in the region.

In his official statement, quoted by Antara, Saturday, January 17, European Commission Spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said that the publication of the tender deadline for the construction of 3,401 houses in the E1 plan, as well as the progress of the construction of the so-called "Sovereignty Road" was a serious provocation.

The European Union also expressed concern over settlement plans in Atarot and Nahalat Shimon in East Jerusalem.

El Anouni stressed that Israel's settlement policy is an obstacle to peace, risks exacerbating instability in the West Bank, triggering the displacement of thousands of Palestinians, splitting the West Bank territory, and encouraging further actions by settlers to commit violence.

He added that the continued expansion of settlements further undermines the viability of a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as the future capital for both countries.

"The European Union urges the Israeli authorities to immediately reverse the expansion of settlements that are illegal under international law, after months of acceleration and increased approval of new settlement plans in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem," El Anouni said.

The European Union also called on Israel to comply with its obligations under international law and ensure protection for Palestinians living in the occupied territories.

Separately, the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) of the Republic of Cyprus, Constantinos Kombos, on Friday, stated through a post on the social media platform X that he had a telephone conversation with the Head of Foreign Policy of the European Union Kaja Kallas and the Head of the Israeli Foreign Authority Gideon Saar.

In the conversation, they emphasized the importance of diplomacy in defusing escalation and the need to maintain regional security and stability.