The European Union announced, yesterday, Wednesday, its condemnation of the legalization of 5 Israeli settlement outposts and Tel Aviv's intention to build thousands of settlement units in the occupied West Bank.
The European Union said in a statement: "The European Union condemns the so-called plan to legalize 5 Israeli settlement outposts and announce thousands of new housing units in the occupied West Bank."
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority (official) said on Wednesday that "the Israeli Supreme Planning Council in the West Bank (governmental) will meet today and tomorrow (Wednesday and Thursday) to approve the construction of 5,300 settlement units throughout the West Bank."
The European Union also "strongly condemned the continued dispossession policies implemented by the current Israeli government in the occupied West Bank," according to the statement, stressing that "efforts aimed at the de facto annexation" of Palestinian territories must stop.
The European Union said that "Israel's policy of building settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories constitutes a serious violation of international law, exacerbates tensions and undermines efforts to achieve a two-state solution."
He called on Israel to "reverse these decisions," explaining that the European Union "will not recognize changes to the 1967 borders unless both parties (Palestinian and Israeli) agree to that," according to the statement.
The European Union affirmed its "firm 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."
Last week, several countries criticized Israel's decision to legalize five settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank, after they were established without government approval. According to Israeli estimates, more than 720,000 Israelis live in settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Settlement in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has witnessed a significant increase since the current right-wing government, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, came to power in December 2022.
This is highlighting violations of international law.
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