EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Israel’s expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank undermines the prospect of a viable two-state solution in which Palestine and Israel live side by side.
Kallas made the remarks after 12 countries, including the United Kingdom and France, banned trade with settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
EU considers settlements contrary to international law
Kaja Kallas said European Union countries share the view that Israel’s settlement activities in the West Bank are contrary to international law. She said the Israeli government’s expansion of the settlements further narrows the possibility of achieving a two-state solution.
She said the EU continues to support a two-state solution and a comprehensive, fair and lasting peace that would allow both sides to live side by side within secure and recognized borders.
Data on settlements in the West Bank
According to Palestinian data, Israel’s current government, formed in late 2022, approved the establishment of 104 new settlements. During the same period, 160 agricultural settlement outposts were established in the West Bank.
Approximately 750,000 Israeli settlers live in 194 settlements and 400 settlement outposts in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Settler attacks and Israeli army raids in the area have increased, while the war in Gaza has continued since October 2023.