Ambassadors of 6 European countries reaffirmed during a press conference that Israel’s establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory had no legal validity, constituting a flagrant violation under international law and called on Israel to stop its annexation activities immediately.
France's UN delegate, Nicolas La Vieire, said in a joint statement bythe six countries, "Israel’s establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, had no legal validity, constituting a flagrant violation under international law.
"We would not recognize any changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the two sides through negotiations," he added.
The 6 European countries are extremely concerned about the Israeli authorities' decision to issue tenders for the construction of housing units in Givat Hamatos settlement, located between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Moreover, they concern about the Israeli expansion in settlement construction, that Israel announced on 14 and 15 October, with plans to build nearly 5,000 settlement units on the lands occupied since 1967.
Israeli "Peace Now" movement confirmed on November 9 that settlement has increased over the past four years.
The movement monitoring settlement added, in a statement, that 26,331 settlement units were approved in the settlements in the last four years (2017-2020), compared to 10,331 units in the years 2013-2016.