The European Union has again criticized Israel for its decision to advance several hundred new settlement units in East Jerusalem and the West Bank and urged Jerusalem ‘’to stop this policy and to reverse its recent decision.’’

Israel announced earlier this week its decision to advance plans for 560 new homes in Ma’aleh Adumim. In addition, there were reports that it had authorized 240 new homes in Har Homa and Ramot.

The announcements came in the wake of two new terror attacks by Palestinians against Israelis that claimed the lives of 13-year-old Hallel Yaffa Ariel in Kyriat Arba, and 47-year-old Rabbi Michael Mark whom wife and two children were injured when Palestinian terrorists fired at their vehicle.

In a statement, a spokesperson of the EU External Service said Israel’s announcement ‘’threatens the viability of the two-state solution and calls into question Israel's commitment to a negotiated agreement with the Palestinians.’’

‘’Despite repeated calls by the international community Israel is continuing its settlement policy, which is illegal under international law,’’ the statement reads.

‘’The EU urges Israel to stop this policy and to reverse its recent decision.’’

An Israeli spokesperson recently sharply criticized the European Union as he accused it of “colonialism”.

In the wake of the EU decision to endorse a French initiative to organise an international conference to renew Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nahson told The Times of Israel that the EU’s policies vis-a-vis the Israeli-Palestinian conflict feel like the “ghosts of a colonial European past coming back to life.”

The Israeli diplomat further accused European leaders of cynically exploiting the conflict to deflect criticism and to distract the public from their inability to solve the continent’s real pressing problems.

An official in the EU delegation to Israel called Nahshon’s comments “offensive, inaccurate and inappropriate to the close and deep relations that Israel enjoys with the EU..”

Israel has repeatedly rejected the French initiative, arguing that it hardens Palestinian negotiating positions and thus distances peace.