EU urges Israel to ‘desist' from plan to build settlements in West Bank
'The decision of Israeli authorities to advance the E1 settlement plan further undermines the two-state solution while being a breach of international law,' Kaja Kallas said in a statement.
'The EU urges Israel to desist from taking this decision forward, noting its far-reaching implications.'
Israel's finance minister backed plans on Thursday to build 3,400 homes in a particularly contentious area of the occupied West Bank, calling for the territory's annexation in response to several countries' plans to recognize a Palestinian state.
The United Nations chief warned that building Israeli homes in the area would 'put an end to' hopes for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel has long had ambitions to build on the sensitive parcel of land east of Jerusalem known as E1, but the plan has been frozen for decades amid international opposition.
Israeli settlements in the West Bank are considered illegal under international law, while critics and the international community have warned construction on the roughly 12 square kilometers would undermine hopes for a contiguous future Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
The site sits between the ancient city and the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, near routes connecting the north and south of the Palestinian territory. There are also separate, frozen plans to expand Israel's separation barrier to envelop the area.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
France urges Israel to drop West Bank settlement plan
France's foreign ministry Saturday called on Israel to drop a plan to build thousands of new homes in the West Bank, calling the project 'a serious violation of international law.' A ministry spokesman said that France 'condemns with the utmost firmness' the Israeli decision to build 3,400 homes in a particularly contentious area of the occupied West Bank. Several countries have said that project, called E1, undermines hopes for a contiguous future Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
Jordanian business chief hails EU as key partner in supporting Jordan's economy
AMMAN: The EU remains one of Jordan's most important economic partners, playing a vital role in supporting the country's economy through financial assistance, grants, and investments, Jordanian European Business Association President Ali Murad said on Saturday. Murad described the Jordan-EU partnership as a 'living model of constructive cooperation' that has helped Jordan confront economic crises amid regional and international challenges, the Jordan News Agency reported. He also praised King Abdullah II's 'great efforts' to strengthen cooperation, particularly in the economic sector. The JEBA president said that the partnership has witnessed 'remarkable development' since the signing of a strategic agreement earlier this year, reflecting the EU's commitment to supporting Jordan's economic goals. On Wednesday, the Cabinet approved a financing agreement and memorandum of understanding covering €500 million ($585 million) in EU financial assistance, part of a €3 billion package agreed for 2025–2027. The package, signed in the presence of King Abdullah in January, includes €640 million in grants, €1.4 billion in investments, and around €1 billion in macroeconomic support. 'Through this financial package, the EU demonstrates its commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership with Jordan and its appreciation for the Kingdom's pivotal role in the region,' Murad said. He added that the agreement was a 'significant step' in advancing Jordan-EU ties, with positive impacts expected on the national economy and treasury as implementation begins. According to official data, trade between Jordan and the EU reached JD1.129 billion ($1.6 billion) in the first four months of 2025, up from JD1.025 billion during the same period last year. National exports to EU markets rose 14.4 percent to JD143 million, compared with JD125 million a year earlier.
Saudi Gazette
4 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Zelenskyy to meet Trump in Washington after Alaska summit
KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday in Washington, following the U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska that ended without an agreement to halt the war in Ukraine. The summit produced what Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin called an 'understanding,' but no concrete commitments. On Saturday, Trump shifted his position, saying a comprehensive peace deal—not a ceasefire—was now the preferred path to ending the war, aligning more closely with Moscow's long-standing stance. 'It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a Peace Agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere Ceasefire Agreement,' Trump posted after holding calls with Zelenskyy and European leaders. The European leaders, in a joint statement, welcomed Trump's efforts but stopped short of endorsing his preference for a peace agreement over a ceasefire. They reiterated their support for 'just and lasting peace' and Ukraine's sovereignty. Trump had previously pushed for a ceasefire as a prerequisite to talks. But analysts say his new approach could empower Russia to continue military operations during negotiations. Zelenskyy, who was not invited to the Alaska summit, said he had a 'long and substantive' call with Trump and looked forward to discussing 'all of the details regarding ending the killing and the war' in their Monday meeting. It will be Zelenskyy's first U.S. visit since a tense Oval Office meeting in February, where Trump accused him of being disrespectful. Trump also held calls with leaders from France, Germany, Italy, the U.K., Finland, Poland, and the European Union. The group expressed readiness to support a trilateral summit involving Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. In the statement, the leaders underscored that 'Ukraine must have ironclad security guarantees,' and that 'international borders must not be changed by force.' EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas noted that Russia launched fresh attacks on Ukraine even as the delegations met in Alaska. Zelenskyy said he welcomes the idea of a three-way summit and emphasized that European involvement is essential to any future guarantees. 'Key issues can be discussed at the level of leaders, and a trilateral format is suitable for this,' he said. However, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said the topic of a trilateral meeting 'has not been touched upon yet.' Zelenskyy said he told Trump that sanctions on Russia should be strengthened if Moscow avoids honest talks. Meanwhile, Russian officials described the summit as a symbolic end to Putin's isolation. Former President Dmitry Medvedev called it a 'breakthrough,' and Russian media portrayed Putin as reemerging on the world stage. Despite the diplomatic theater, violence continued overnight. Ukraine's air force reported that it shot down 61 of 85 Shahed drones launched by Russia, which also fired a ballistic missile. Russian forces struck regions including Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Chernihiv. Russia claimed it downed 29 Ukrainian drones over its territory and the Sea of Azov. The 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line remains active, with Russian forces capturing more territory in recent months. 'Putin came to the Alaska summit with the principal goal of stalling any pressure on Russia to end the war,' said Neil Melvin of the Royal United Services Institute. 'He will consider the outcome a mission accomplished.' — Agencies
