BRUSSELS: The European Union (EU) on Monday condemned Israel’s decision to legalize nine illegal outposts in the occupied West Bank and convert them into new settlements.
EU rejected the decision by Israeli authorities was not accepted by the EU, according to a statement from the office of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
The statement described the Jewish settlements are illegal under international law and reiterated that the EU will not recognize any changes made outside of the 1967 borders.
It also called on Israeli officials to stop the construction of these settlements and to immediately reverse the recent decision to legalize the outposts.
An Israeli ministerial committee on Sunday greenlighted a plan to cancel legislation on disengagement from the northern West Bank that had been enacted in 2005.
The plan would permit the construction of four settlements – dismantled in 2005 by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Illegal settlements in West Bank
Estimates indicate that as many as 650,000 settlers are living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts in the occupied West Bank.
All Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are considered illegal under international law. — APP
