(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Friday condemned a decision by Israel's government to authorize the construction of over 900 new homes in east Jerusalem, saying the move undermined efforts to revive Mideast peace talks.
'I have been following the situation in East Jerusalem with concern and I am profoundly disappointed by yesterday's approval of more than 900 housing units in the settlement of Har Homa in eastern Jerusalem. The EU has repeatedly urged the Government of Israel to immediately end all settlement activities in the West Bank, including in east Jerusalem,' she said in a statement.
Ashton reiterated that all Israeli settlement activities were 'illegal under international law.'
The EU's top diplomat warned that the Israeli decision could seriously endanger the
possibility for a negotiated settlement with the Palestinian side.
'This further expansion of settlements is particularly regrettable at a time when the EU, together with its international partners and the parties, is striving to create a credible perspective to re-launch negotiations, leading to a just and durable solution to the conflict,' Ashton said.
'Continued settlement activity undermines trust between the parties and efforts to resume negotiations. This is especially true with regard to Jerusalem. I believe there can be no sustainable peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution ... Settlement activity damages this prospect,' she added.
Israel's interior ministry on Thursday approved construction of 930 homes in Har Homa, on the southern outskirts of the city.
According to Israeli media reports, construction was estimated to begin within two to three years.
/129
5 August 2011 - 19:30
News ID: 257862
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Friday condemned a decision by Israel's government to authorize the construction of over 900 new homes in east Jerusalem, saying the move undermined efforts to revive Mideast peace talks.
