US and EU condemn Israel over building plans in eastern part of Jerusalem
The United States and the European Union on Monday condemned Israel's plan to build 400 homes in Jerusalem, near the Palestinian village of Abu Dis. The village lies mostly in Area B, just east of the security barrier in the West Bank, according to the Times of Israel.
A committee on Monday agreed to advance the project but asked those behind it to address some minor concerns before final approval.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said, “We strongly oppose the advancement of settlements and urge Israel to refrain from this activity. We take the issue very seriously, as it impinges on the viability of a two-state solution.”
A spokesperson for the EU repeated its long-stated position on settlements, including construction in Israel-annexed east Jerusalem, as “illegal according to international law and a major obstacle to achieving a two-state solution.”
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
