Statement by the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on continued settlement activity in the Palestinian territories and in East Jerusalem (August 8, 2008)
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is deeply concerned by the decision by the Israeli authorities to approve the construction of 400 housing units in the Neve Yaakov settlement and to invite tenders on 286 and 130 housing units in the Beitar Illit and Har Homa settlements.
This decision serves to undermine the credibility of the ongoing peace process.
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union recalls that the construction of settlements anywhere in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law. Settlement activities prejudge the outcome of final status negotiations and compromise the viability of a concerted two-state solution.
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union calls on the two parties, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, to honor their respective undertakings reaffirmed at Annapolis under the Roadmap. Therefore, it calls on Israel to ensure a complete freeze on settlement activities, including that for “natural growth,” in East Jerusalem as well, and to dismantle the unauthorized outposts built since 2001.
Download Document Files: https://unispal.un.org/pdfs/EU_settlementsF.pdf https://unispal.un.org/pdfs/EU_settlementsS.pdf
Document Type: French text, Press Release, Spanish text
Document Sources: European Union (EU)
Subject: Road Map, Settlements
Publication Date: 08/08/2008