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EU condemns expansion of Israeli settlements

BRUSSELS, Feb 22 (KUNA) -- The European Union Saturday condemned the imminent decision by Israeli authorities regarding settlement construction in "the Givat Hamatos and Har Homa neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem".
"Such steps would be deeply detrimental to a two-state-solution," said EU High Representative Josep Borrell in a statement tonight.
He noted that as set out clearly on numerous occasions by the European Union "such steps would cut the geographic and territorial contiguity between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, isolate Palestinian communities living in these areas, and threaten the viability of a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as capital of both states." "Settlements are illegal under international law. The EU will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem," he said and called on Israel to "reconsider these plans." (end) nk.ibi