WEST BANK, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The European Union has called on Israel to immediately halt its controversial E1 settlement project, including plans to construct 3,401 new housing units. The EU also demanded the cancellation of the “Sovereignty Road” project, which stretches between the towns of Al-Eizariya and Al-Za’im, east of Occupied Jerusalem. The proposed road would effectively seal off the area to Palestinian movement, cutting off approximately 3% of the West Bank.
In a statement issued Friday, the EU expressed deep concern over two additional settlement plans: the “Atarot” project, which targets land belonging to the former Jerusalem International Airport and would see nearly 9,000 housing units built on 1,243 dunums north of Occupied Jerusalem, and the “Nahlaot Shimon” project in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. The latter involves demolishing homes in the Al-Naqab area to construct 316 units on the ruins of residences belonging to around 40 Palestinian families.
The EU warned that Israel’s continued settlement expansion constitutes a major obstacle to peace, threatens to further destabilize the West Bank, displaces thousands of Palestinians, fragments the territory, emboldens settler violence, and further undermines the viability of a two-state solution with Jerusalem as a shared capital.
The EU urged the Israeli government to immediately reverse its settlement expansion plans, stressing that such actions are illegal under international law. This comes after months of fast-tracking settlement approvals in the West Bank, including in Jerusalem.
The EU also reiterated its call on Israel to uphold its obligations under international law and to protect the Palestinian population living under occupation.
