Israel/Palestine: Statement by the High Representative on the so-called legalization of outposts in the occupied West Bank

The European Union condemns the planned so-called legalization of five Israeli settlement outposts and the announcement of thousands of new housing units in the occupied West Bank. The EU also firmly condemns the continued policies of dispossession implemented in the occupied West Bank by the current Israeli government. The ongoing efforts aiming at establishing facts on the ground and risking to lead to a de-facto annexation must stop.

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. We call on Israel to reverse these decisions. In line with its longstanding common position and UN Security Council Resolutions, the EU will not recognise changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed by the parties.

As expressed by its Leaders at last week's European Council, the EU recalls its support to the Palestinian Authority and stresses that actions weakening the Palestinian Authority must stop.

The European Union takes note of the latest transfers of parts of the tax and custom clearances to the Palestinian Authority and the short-term renewal of the indemnification arrangement that allows the West Bank's connectivity to Israeli banks and the international financial system, but it insists that clearances in accordance with the Paris Protocol have to be transferred timely, in full, and without undue deductions to the Palestinian Authority.

The EU reiterates its unwavering commitment to lasting and sustainable peace on the basis of 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.