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The European Union and United State of America issued separate statements expressing their rejection of the Israeli government's decisions that legalize illegal outposts.
The European Union yesterday rejected the Israeli government’s decision to legalize settlement outposts in the occupied Palestinian territories and called on Israel to reverse these latest decisions.
“Israeli authorities announced on Sunday that they would consider nine illegal settler outposts in the occupied West Bank as legal under Israeli law. The European Union rejects this decision and reiterates its position that settlements are illegal under international law and that it will not recognize any changes to the 1967 borders other than those agreed by the parties,” according to a statement by the EU’s spokesperson. “The EU renews its call on the Israeli authorities to halt settlement construction and to reverse these latest decisions as a matter of urgency.”
The statement also expressed the EU’s concern over the rise in tension and violence in the occupied territories, calling for de-escalation and avoiding unilateral decisions.
“The EU is gravely worried by the heightened tensions and increased violence. In the current worrying context, it is important to consider steps to de-escalate the situation and avoid unilateral decisions and actions that would undermine the viability of a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict, and fuel more tensions,” it said, adding, “The EU stands ready to help the parties to rebuild a path towards dialogue and work together to reverse the negative cycle of violence and to avoid any further loss of lives.”
For his part USA secretary of state Antony J. Blinken expres his deeply troubled by Israel’s decision yesterday to advance reportedly nearly 10,000 settlement units and to begin a process to retroactively legalize nine outposts in the West Bank that were previously illegal under Israeli law.
Blinken said in a statment on Israeli Settlement and Outpost Legalization Announcement by Netanyahu Government :"Like previous administrations, Democratic and Republican, we strongly oppose such unilateral measures, which exacerbate tensions and undermine the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution".
Blinken added :"I have previously stated, anything that takes us away from the vision of two states for two peoples is detrimental to Israel’s long-term security, its identity as a Jewish and democratic state, and to our vision of equal measures of security, freedom, prosperity, and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
USA secretary of state call on all parties to avoid additional actions that can further escalate tensions in the region and to take practical steps that can improve the well-being of the Palestinian people.
