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http://news.yahoo.com/eu-slams-israel-over-settlements-palestinians-151434976.html
EU foreign ministers on Monday issued a harsh critique of Israel,
saying the gathering pace of settlement-building, settler extremism and
ill-treatment of Palestinians threatens a two-state solution.
"The EU expresses deep concern
about developments on the ground which threaten to make a two-state
solution impossible," the bloc's 27 ministers said in a statement issued
during talks in Brussels.
"The viability of a two-state solution must be maintained," the three-page European Union statement added.
Israeli settlement
watchdog Peace Now said on Monday that Israel was moving ahead with
plans to build around 2,000 new homes in the settlement of Gilo, in
Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.
"There was an announcement of
depositing for public review, plans for 942 housing units with an option
for 300 more," the group's Hagit Ofran told AFP. "The public now has 60
days to present objections."
"Next week, on May 22, there will
be a discussion on objections to a different plan for Gilo, for 900
units," she added. "Another stage in the approvals process."
The Jerusalem Post daily said it could take years before all steps were complete and construction could begin.
Reiterating that settlements on occupied land are illegal under international law, the ministers notably condemned "the marked acceleration" of settlement building since the end of a 2010 moratorium and expressed "deep concern" over settler extremism in the West Bank.
They also voiced concern over
evictions and the demolition of Palestinian homes in east Jerusalem "and
the prevention of peaceful Palestinian cultural, economic, social or
political activities".
Turning to the so-called Area C
zone of the occupied West Bank, where Israel has full civil and security
control, the statement noted "the worsening living conditions" of the
Palestinian population in general.
The ministers' stand came on the
heels of a damaging report by NGOs this weekend alleging that Israel
last year demolished dozens of Palestinian homes, water cisterns and
farm buildings built with European funds.
In Area C, Israel has placed
"serious limitations" on the Palestinian Authority's ability to promote
economic development, the statement said.
Saying the future of Area C was
critical to a future Palestinian state because this was its main land
reserve, the EU urged Israel to halt demolitions and simplify the
granting of building permits....READ MORE
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