The European Union condemns and deeply deplores today’s approval, by Israeli authorities, of plans for advancing over 4,400  housing units, further expanding illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank, as well as the retroactive approval of three illegal outposts.

The EU urges Israel to reverse such decisions, which run counter to international law; directly threaten the two state solution; and are completely inconsistent with efforts to lower tensions. 

The EU calls on both parties to work on ways to prepare the ground for the necessary resumption of a political process without which there will be no real peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.