EU regrets new settlement building

European Union Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton has criticized Israel for offering tenders this week for the construction of 1,213 new homes in east Jerusalem. Ashton said in a statement that she “deeply regrets” moves to add 607 units in Pisgat Zeev and 606 units in Ramot. During 2011 and 2012 the EU High Representative has expressed her profound disappointment on a number of occasions concerning the expansion of nearby Har Homa settlement. Together these developments continue the process of separating East Jerusalem from the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory,” the statement added. “Continuous expansion of settlements, wherever this takes place, further complicates ongoing diplomatic efforts to avoid deterioration in the prospects for a return to negotiations at this critical time,” Ashton said. “The EU has repeatedly urged the Government of Israel to immediately end all settlement activities in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, in line with its obligations under the Roadmap,” she added.