The European Parliament said yesterday that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law, demanding their immediate end. In a vote of 41 in favor, 24 against with 9 abstentions, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament adopted a set of recommendations on how the European Union (EU) should continue to engage with the Palestinian Authority (PA). The recommendations, which will be submitted for approval by the European Parliament as a whole, with the plenary vote scheduled for July, stress that the EU should consider targeted measures specifically addressing settlement expansion in the West Bank, among other recommendations. ‘Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) continue to state that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are illegal under international law and demand their immediate end. Pointing out that these settlements constitute a major obstacle to the viability of the two-state solution, including lasting peace and security, MEPs call for new efforts to end the latest cycle of settlement-related violence and say the EU should consider targeted measures specifically addressing settlement expansion in the West Bank,’ said the MEPs in their statement. They also expressed concern about EU policy and EU financial assistance in the Palestinian territories being undermined by illegal settlements and demanded compensation for the demolition of all EU-funded infrastructure in the area. In 2022, 101 structures funded by the EU or EU member states (valued at pound 337,019) were demolished or seized by Israeli authorities. MEPs also asked the EU to commission a legal opinion assessing the political and economic consequences of the Israeli move to transfer broad authority over civilian issues in the West Bank to the Israeli Finance Minister, which would enable the deepening of Israel’s presence on the Palestinian territories. ‘The Palestinian people have lived under occupation for more than 50 years. EU must show its true commitment through a strengthening of its cooperation with the Palestinian Authority and acting to end the occupation,’ said rapporteur Evin Incir (S and D, Sweden) after the vote. In line with its commitment to a two-state solution, the EU should establish a more regular political dialogue with the Palestinian Authority and launch negotiations on a full Association Agreement between the EU and Palestine as soon as possible, and convene an Association Council. The EU has had such an Association Agreement with Israel since 2000.

Source: Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA