EU's Ashton 'deplores' Israel's new housing plans in E. Jerusalem
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, Sept 28, IRNA -- European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Tuesday slammed Israel's plan to build hundreds of new homes in the Jewish settlement of Gilo in occupied East Jerusalem.
“Last Friday, the Quartet called on the Israelis and Palestinians to refrain from provocative actions if negotiations are to resume and be effective, and reiterated the obligations of both parties under the Roadmap,' she was quoted saying in a statement released in Brussels.
'I therefore deplore today's decision to advance settlement expansion in East Jerusalem with approximately 1000 new housing units in Gilo. I call on the Israeli authorities to reverse this plan,' Ashton added.
The international community does not recognize Gilo or East Jerusalem as part of Israel.
'The EU has repeatedly called on Israel to end all settlement activity, including natural growth, and to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001. Settlement activity threatens the viability of an agreed two-state solution and raises questions about Israel's stated commitment to resume negotiations,” according to Ashton.
The announcement of the illegal Zionist state follows last-ditch efforts by the US and the EU to force Israelis and Palestinians to resume so-called peace negotiations.
Palestinians have repeatedly made clear such talks could not be revived unless the Zionist regime imposes a settlement building freeze in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30584203
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