The spokesman of the European Union in Jerusalem, Shadi Othman, said that the European Union condemns the new settlement project, "Givat Hamatos," in the southeast of occupied Jerusalem.

Othman indicated, in a statement to Safa, that the European Union office in Jerusalem organized a tour on Monday, with the participation of representatives of 14 European Union countries to the settlement site.

The tour aims to examine the potential impacts of this project on the geographical future between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

"This new settlement is a key location between Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. Any settlement construction will cause serious damage to the prospects for a viable and contiguous Palestinian State," he added.

Othman stressed that the EU has repeatedly called on Israel to end all settlement activity, and it remains the EU’s firm position that settlements are illegal under international law.

During the tour, Israeli settlers arrived and interrupted them. Furthermore, an explanation was provided by the Israeli organization "Peace Now" about the danger of this project.

The ambassador of the European Union emphasized in a statement the European Union’s rejection of any settlement expansion in the Palestinian territories.

He also called on the Israeli authorities to provide the required security, whether on the territories they control as the occupying power, or inside Israel, since it is their diplomatic responsibility.