The EU says Israeli plans to annex Palestinian territory is illegal — amid government proposals to carve out a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank.
“The EU rejects any territorial change that is not part of a political agreement between involved parties, so annexation of territory is illegal under international law,” a European Commission spokesperson told reporters in Brussels on Thursday (14 August).
The Israel proposal comes with promises by Israeli far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state”.
Smotrich said the latest settlement, deemed illegal under international law, would cut off the West Bank from occupied East Jerusalem.
“This is Zionism at its best — building, settling and strengthening our sovereignty in the Land of Israel,” he said.
Smotrich, who also oversees settlement affairs, said the so-called E1 project would see the construction of 3,401 housing units.
Critics describe the move as another exploitative land grab at time when Gaza is facing starvation and total destruction from Israeli military operations.
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