The European Union has condemned in the strongest terms the announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to legalize five outposts in the occupied Palestinian territory, calling it a deliberate attempt to undermine peace efforts.
During this week’s European Council meeting, EU leaders denounced the Israeli government’s decisions to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and urged Israel to reverse these actions. The EU reiterated that it will not recognize changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed upon by both parties, in line with its longstanding position and UN Security Council Resolutions.
The EU emphasized that actions weakening the Palestinian Authority must cease and called on Israel to release withheld clearance revenues. It also urged Israel to ensure that correspondent banking services between Israeli and Palestinian banks remain operational.
Reaffirming its commitment to lasting peace, the EU highlighted the importance of the two-State solution based on UN Security Council resolutions. The EU supports the coexistence of 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.
