The European Union expressed its categorical rejection and strong condemnation of the recent unilateral steps taken by the Israeli government aimed at consolidating its administrative and security control over the occupied West Bank. The EU considers these measures a dangerous shift in policy, emphasizing that they fundamentally contradict the principles of international law and relevant Security Council resolutions.
A unified European stance against settlement expansion
In a joint statement reflecting Brussels' growing concern, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, along with Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šucic and Commissioner for Crisis Management Hajia Habib, warned of the serious repercussions of these decisions. The statement indicated that granting Israel broader powers in the West Bank does not serve the security of the region; on the contrary, it is counterproductive and undermines any remaining opportunities for peace and stability.
European officials stressed that these new steps would undermine ongoing international diplomatic efforts, which are striving to reduce tensions in the region and prevent the situation from sliding into unprecedented levels of violence.
Legal and political background
The European position is based on the EU's core foreign policy principles, which do not recognize any changes made by Israel to the 1967 borders, including in East Jerusalem, except those agreed upon by both parties through negotiations. This condemnation comes amid a series of international warnings that consider the transfer of civil administration powers in the West Bank to Israeli government ministers to be a de facto annexation of occupied territory, a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Risks of tampering with the Hebron Protocol
In a related context, the statement highlighted the danger of decisions affecting the implementation of the Hebron Protocol signed between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The European Union warned that any change to the status quo in Hebron, particularly concerning religious sites and holy places, could ignite an uncontrollable religious and security crisis. The statement stressed the need to maintain the delicate status quo at religious sites to avoid provoking tensions and exacerbating the conflict.
Calls for adherence to international law
The European Union concluded its statement by reiterating its firm position of not recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the territories it has occupied since June 1967. It called on the Israeli government to reverse these decisions and commit to the political settlement process based on the two-state solution, as the only way to guarantee lasting security and peace for both Palestinians and Israelis, warning that continuing the policy of imposing a fait accompli will lead to increasing international isolation.
