Ashton: Settlements detrimental to peace efforts

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton Friday said Israel’s settlement activity is detrimental to peace efforts. Ashton was reacting to Israeli government plans to build hundreds of housing units in illegal West Bank settlements as well as relocate settlers from outposts to regular settlement, also within the occupied West Bank. In a statement issued in Brussels, Ashton said she “deplores Israeli government plans to build over 800 additional settlement housing units as well as the plan to relocate some of the settlers from Ulpana within the occupied Palestinian territory.” She said that “settlement activity is detrimental to current peace efforts, including by the Quartet, and puts those efforts at risk.” The EU officials described settlements as “illegal under international law and threaten to make a two-state solution impossible.” “I call on the Israeli government to exercise the highest sense of responsibility by reversing these decisions to demonstrate its commitment toward the peace process, in full respect of international law,” concluded Ashton.