Agencies-Gaza post
EU: Israeli settlements are clear violation of international law
In a joint statement released on Thursday, France, Ireland, Estonia, and Albania condemned the Israeli Higher Planning Council’s decision to move forward with plans for the construction of more than 4,000 settlement housing units in the occupied West Bank, stating that Israeli settlement construction is a clear violation of international law.
The statement, delivered by Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, urged Israel to reverse its decision and to stop planned demolitions and evictions, particularly in the Masafer Yatta area, which could result in the forced relocation of 1,200 Palestinians.
“The new dwelling units would be a further impediment to the two-State Solution.” Israeli settlements “violate international law and obstruct a just, sustainable, and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” Nason said.
“This decision, together with the retroactive approval of three illegal settler outposts, demolitions, and evictions impacting Palestinian people in East Jerusalem and Area C, directly endanger the existence of a future Palestinian state,” she stated.
“A comprehensive and independent investigation that clarifies all the circumstances of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh’s execution, which occurred while she was covering an Israeli security operation in Jenin, and brings those responsible for her killing to account,” the EU members said.
