European powers condemn Israel for approving thousands of new residential homes

BRUSSELS – Strength Europe criticize the decision Israel which approves of thousands of new settlements in the region Palestine. Europe considers Israel’s move counterproductive because it undermines regional peace efforts.

“The expansion of settlements violates international law and further undermines the possibility of a two-state solution to bring long-term peace to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” said a joint statement from the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Spain.

“When we emphasize directly with the Israeli government, this step further undermines efforts to rebuild trust between various parties with a view to restoring dialogue,” they said.

This week, Israel approved the construction of more than 3,000 new homes in the West Bank, ending an eight-month halt to settlement expansion.

Under international law, these settlements are illegal. Palestinian officials and the international community see the settlement as a major obstacle to the two-state solution.

The latest approval brings the number of new residential homes this year to more than 12,150, according to settlement monitoring group Peace Now.

“The agreement makes 2020 the highest record year in the number of residential planning units pushed since Peace Now began recording in 2012,” said a Peace Now statement.

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