The European Union on Monday called on Israel to halt settlement construction and suspend the recent tenders issued for thousands of new homes in what it deems contested areas.
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Israel on Sunday issued construction tenders for 3,000 housing units in Judea and Samaria and Jerusalem – the first move of its kind since US President Joe Biden assumed office and pledged to take a harder line on the issue of the settlements.
The move also appeared to run contrary to the government's own pledge to reduce tensions with the Palestinians, who view the settlements as the main obstacle to peace.
The move has drawn calls for restraint from the US and condemnation from the European Union.
"Settlements are illegal under international law and constitute a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between the parties," a spokesperson for the EU's Executive Commission said in a statement.
The EU "has consistently made clear that it will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by both sides," the spokesperson added.
The US-backed peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2014. Most countries regard Israel's settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria as illegal.
The plan also drew criticism Monday from the left-wing members of the country's fragile coalition.
Meretz leader Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said Monday in an interview with Israel Radio that his faction "will explicitly not agree to actions that will harm the chances of reaching a solution" with the Palestinians.
"I understand that this government, in the existing situation, won't sign a peace treaty with the Palestinians right now, but still, we must avoid actions that worsen the situation," Horowitz said. He remained confident, however, that the coalition would remain united and pass a national budget before a Nov. 14 deadline despite its differences.
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said that when the government was formed earlier this year it committed to not building new settlements but allowing "natural growth" in existing ones.
"In the next four years, we will act and we will argue and pass budgets and lower the cost of living and continue to lead the world in fighting coronavirus," he said. "And we will also fight from time to time over settlements and the Palestinians and security and the economy."
Meretz lawmaker Mossi Raz condemned the settlement announcement, tweeting, "These steps endanger the future of the state of Israel and the future political horizon, and undermine the basis on which this change government was founded."
In addition to the settlement projects, the government also plans to authorize 1,600 housing units for Palestinians in the West Bank. But the Palestinians say that's only a tiny fraction of the need.
The Palestinians slammed the government's announcement, saying that decades of settlement expansion have made it nearly impossible to establish a viable state alongside Israel.
Ramallah's Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh slammed the move and called on the US and the international community to push back on it.
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