The European Union said it “strongly opposed” the latest “extremely troubling” Israeli plans for more settler homes around Jerusalem which would only further undermine the peace process. EU foreign affairs head Catherine Ashton said plans to build 2,610 houses in the Givat Hamatos settlement, along with the 1,500 in Ramat Shlomo announced in November, would effectively cut Bethlehem off from Jerusalem.
“The European Union and the Russian Federation are deeply dismayed by and strongly oppose Israeli plans to expand settlements in the West Bank and in particular plans to develop the E1 area,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement.
Earlier, the United Nations and UN Security Council had condemned Israel’s moves. The United States, Israel’s close ally, did not join the public attack on Israel but slammed the “provocative” act during closed UN Security Council consultations.