EU 'dismayed' at Jerusalem settlement expansion
(BRUSSELS) - The Swedish EU presidency voiced dismay Wednesday after Israel backed the expansion of Jewish settlements in Arab east Jerusalem, saying the move runs against moves to reach a viable peace deal.
The EU presidency said in a statement that it was "dismayed by the recent decision on the expansion of the settlement of Gilo," one of a dozen Jewish settlements in east Jerusalem.
The EU presidency, held by the Swedes till the end of the year, stressed that "settlement activities, house demolitions and evictions in East Jerusalem are illegal under international law."
"The actions taken by the Israeli Government contravene repeated calls by the international community... and run counter to the creation of an atmosphere conducive to achieving a viable and credible solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians," the statement added.
"If there is to be genuine peace, a way must be found to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states," it concluded.
The Palestinians said the Israeli announcement was a new blow to peace efforts.
The Palestinian side demands that Israel freeze all settlement construction in the occupied West Bank, including annexed east Jerusalem, before any resumption of talks.