The EU condemns the new “legalization” of settlements declared by the Israeli Government

June 29. () –

This Saturday, the European Union expressed its strong condemnation of the announcement made by the Israeli Finance Minister, the ultra Bezalel Smotrich, to “legalize” five other settlements in the West Bank.

Brussels describes Smotrich’s decision as another “deliberate attempt to sabotage” peace efforts for the Gaza war and recalls that at this week’s European Council, EU leaders also condemned such expansions.

“In accordance with its common position and UN Security Council Resolutions, the EU will not recognize changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed by the parties,” the EU statement added.

The European bloc, as usual, calls for the cessation of any action that “weakens the Palestinian Authority” and asks Israel to release the “revenue withheld for liquidation and to adopt the necessary measures to ensure that correspondent banking services between Israeli and Palestinian banks continue to operate.

“The EU reiterates its unwavering commitment to a lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace , security and mutual recognition,” the statement emphasizes.