Ashton: Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem are illegal

Spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, issued a statement regards renewed plans for Israeli settlements in and around East Jerusalem. She said, "In the light of recent media reports about renewed plans for Israeli settlements in and around East Jerusalem, the High Representative feels compelled to reiterate the EU's long-standing position about settlements: "Settlements are illegal under international law and threaten to make a two-state solution impossible. The EU has repeatedly urged the Government of Israel to immediately end all settlement activities in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, in line with its obligations under the Roadmap." The EU has consistently maintained that negotiations remain the best way forward for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and it reiterates that it will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties. Unilateral action by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations and will not be recognized by the international community," The statement continued.