The European Union said the future of its relations with Israel depend on Israel’s '’’commitment to peace based on a two-state solution,’’ in a strongly worded statement condemning construction plans in East Jerusalem.
In a statement issued by the European Union External Action Service, a spokesperson condemned ‘’the recent Israeli decisions to approve a plan for new settlement activity in Givat Hamatos and to allow for further settlement expansion in the neighbourhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem.’’
‘’This represents a further highly detrimental step that undermines prospects for a two-state solution and calls into question Israel’s commitment to a peaceful negotiated settlement with the Palestinians,’’ the statement says.
‘The parties' commitment to a negotiated solution will only be credible if they refrain from unilateral actions that change the situation on the ground and threaten the viability of the two-state solution.’’
The EU called on the Israeli government ‘’to urgently reverse its decisions and put an end to its settlement policy in East Jerusalem and in the West Bank.’’
‘’The EU will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties.’’
Israel has declared Jerusalem as its ''unified and indivisible'' capital.
The statement concludes with a threat towards Israel. ‘’We stress that the future development of relations between the EU and Israel will depend on the latter's engagement towards a lasting peace based on a two-state solution."
Earlier this week, the US sharply criticized Israel over the construction plans, with the U.S. State Department saying the plans would call into question Israel’s commitment to a lasting peace with the Palestinians.
“This development will only draw condemnation from the international community, distance Israel from even its closest allies, poison the atmosphere not only with the Palestinians but also with the very Arab governments with which Prime Minister Netanyahu said he wanted to build relations,” said Jens Psaki, the State Department’s spokesperson.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the decision to build 2,610 homes in Givat Hamatos would be the first new settlement in the East Jerusalem area for 15 years.
Fabius said the settlements threatened a "two-state solution"."One cannot claim to support a solution and at the same time do things against without consequences being drawn, including at the European Union level," he said
The German Foreign Office said that it was “highly concerned” about “Israel’s decision. ”Berlin echoed France’s call to “revoke this step.”
Rejecting US criticism of the construction plans, Israeli Prime Minister told reporters in New York earlier this week that ‘’Arabs have the right to buy and live in property throughout Israel’s capital, so too do Jews.’’
“Arabs in Jerusalem freely buy apartments, and nobody says that is forbidden. I will also not say that Jews cannot buy property in Jerusalem. There cannot be discrimination between Jews and Arabs,” he said.
Netanyahu said that nobody “stole” the houses in Jerusalem or took them over by force. “This is a normal process, and I see no reason to discriminate.’’