Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief, condemned the Israeli government's legitimization of five colonial outposts and the announcement of thousands of new colonial units in the West Bank. In a statement reported by "Wafa," he said, "The European Union condemns what is referred to as the legitimization of five Israeli settlement outposts and the announcement of thousands of new settlement units in the West Bank."
He added, "The European Union strongly condemns the continued expropriation policies carried out by the current Israeli government in the West Bank." He continued, "The ongoing efforts to establish facts on the ground that could lead to the effective annexation of the West Bank must cease."
Borrell emphasized that "Israel's policy of settlement construction on occupied Palestinian territories constitutes a serious violation of international law, exacerbates tensions, and undermines efforts to achieve a two-state solution," urging Israel to reverse these decisions.
He stated, "In line with its long-standing position and decisions of the United Nations Security Council, the EU will not recognize changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed upon by both parties." He also noted, "As expressed by its leaders in the European Council last week, the EU reiterates its support for the Palestinian National Authority and stresses that actions that undermine the Authority must cease."
He mentioned that "the EU has taken note of the transfer of part of the Palestinian tax revenues (clearance revenues) to the Palestinian Authority and the short-term renewal of the compensation agreement that allows correspondence relations between Palestinian and Israeli banks, linking the West Bank to the global financial system, but insists that clearance funds should be transferred to the Palestinian Authority in a timely manner and in full, without unjustified deductions, according to the Paris Protocol."
He concluded: "The European Union reiterates its firm commitment to lasting and sustainable peace based on the two-state solution, where the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, connected, sovereign, and viable State of Palestine live side by side in peace, security, and mutual recognition."
