Brussels, December 19: The European Union criticised Israel Friday for listing some illegal Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian West Bank as special zones, saying the move is against the spirit of a freeze on settlement building.
“The European Union expresses its disapproval of the decision of the government of Israel on December 13 to include settlements in the National Priority Areas programme,” EU president Sweden said in a statement.
“The decision runs counter to the spirit of the settlement freeze,” it said.
The move by Israel on Sunday entitles the communities to millions of dollars of state funding, and is seen as a gesture to settlers furious about a 10-month moratorium on new building permits in illegal settlements after months of US pressure.
“It also prevents the creation of an atmosphere conducive to resuming negotiations on a two-state solution. The European Union encourages Israel instead to continue along the path set forth by the moratorium,” the EU said.
“The European Union reiterates that settlements on occupied land are illegal under international law,” the statement said, and urged “Israel to immediately end all settlement activities.”
The communities designated as “national priority zones” will have access to credits of 41 million dollars (28 million euros), which will benefit 110,000 illegal settlers.
—Agencies