Ashton Slams “Israeli” Plan for 900 Settlement Units in East al-Quds
Local Editor
Chief of the European Union Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton condemned on Friday a decision adopted by the "Israeli" government to authorize the construction of over 900 new settlement units in east al-Quds (Jerusalem).
In this context, Ashton believed that such a move would undermine the so-called efforts to revive Middle East peace talks.
In a statement issue by her office, Catherine Ashton stated, "I have been following the situation in East Jerusalem (al-Quds) with concern and I am profoundly disappointed by yesterday's approval of more than 900 housing units in the settlement of Har Homa in eastern Jerusalem (al-Quds). The EU repeatedly urged the government of "Israel" to immediately end all settlement activities in the West Bank, including in east Jerusalem (al-Quds)".
Furthermore, EU Foreign Policy Chief reaffirmed that the "Israeli" settlement activities taking place are "illegal under international law"; further stressing that such an "Israeli" step would endanger any possible negotiations with the Palestinian side.
"The further expansion of settlements is particularly regrettable at a time when the EU, together with its international partners and the parties, is striving to create a credible perspective to re-launch negotiations, leading to a just and durable solution to the conflict", Ashton added in her statement.
The "Israeli" interior ministry issued a decision on Thursday declaring the approval of constructing some 930 settlement units in the Har Homa settlement eastern al-Quds (Jerusalem), despite the fact that all international organizations acknowledged that these settlements were to be "illegal under international law".
Source: News Agencies
Chief of the European Union Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton condemned on Friday a decision adopted by the "Israeli" government to authorize the construction of over 900 new settlement units in east al-Quds (Jerusalem).
In this context, Ashton believed that such a move would undermine the so-called efforts to revive Middle East peace talks.
In a statement issue by her office, Catherine Ashton stated, "I have been following the situation in East Jerusalem (al-Quds) with concern and I am profoundly disappointed by yesterday's approval of more than 900 housing units in the settlement of Har Homa in eastern Jerusalem (al-Quds). The EU repeatedly urged the government of "Israel" to immediately end all settlement activities in the West Bank, including in east Jerusalem (al-Quds)".
Furthermore, EU Foreign Policy Chief reaffirmed that the "Israeli" settlement activities taking place are "illegal under international law"; further stressing that such an "Israeli" step would endanger any possible negotiations with the Palestinian side.
"The further expansion of settlements is particularly regrettable at a time when the EU, together with its international partners and the parties, is striving to create a credible perspective to re-launch negotiations, leading to a just and durable solution to the conflict", Ashton added in her statement.
The "Israeli" interior ministry issued a decision on Thursday declaring the approval of constructing some 930 settlement units in the Har Homa settlement eastern al-Quds (Jerusalem), despite the fact that all international organizations acknowledged that these settlements were to be "illegal under international law".
Source: News Agencies
