Press Release
Jerusalem
26 May 2016
European Union Heads of Mission visit Bethlehem, Al Nahle and the Cremisan Valley
European Union Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah visited Bethlehem, Al Nahle and the Cremisan Valley on 26 May 2016. They held meetings with the Governor and the Mayor, members of local civil society organisations, and representatives from the business community. The visit came to gain a first-hand impression of developments in the governorate and particularly in the Cremisan valley.
The interlocutors presented the Heads of Mission with an overview of the political, social and economic challenges facing Bethelehm governorate. The Heads of Mission made field visits to An-Nahle and Bir Ona in the Cremisan Valley. They were briefed on the impact of settlements' expansion and the Separation Barrier surrounding Bethlehem.
"I recall here the EU Council Conclusions of January 2016 in which the EU Foreign Ministers voiced EU strong opposition of Israel's settlement policy and actions taken in this context, such as building the separation barrier beyond the 1967 line. Settlements are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two state solution impossible," said the EU Representative Ralph Tarraf.
Contact:
The Office of the European Union Representative, West Bank and Gaza Strip, UNRWA Shadi Othman, Tel: +972 (0) 2 541 5867, +972 (0) 599 673 958 Inas Abu Shirbi, Tel: +972 (0) 2 541 5859, +972 (0) 599 673 957
Document Sources: European Union (EU)
Subject: Economic issues, Fence, Governance, Human rights and international humanitarian law, International presence, Living conditions, NGOs/Civil Society, Occupation, Peace process, Separation barrier, Settlements, Statehood-related, Wall
Publication Date: 26/05/2016