BRUSSELS: The European Union on Friday criticised Israel’s decision to extend Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories, saying it threatened the chance of a two-state solutionIn a statement issued at the end of a two-day European summit in Brussels, the EU’s Slovenian presidency issued a statement also condemning “in the strongest terms” an attack on a seminary in Jerusalem last week in which six people were killed and “the continued rocket attacks” on Israeli soil.

And while recognising Israel’s legitimate right to self defence, the European Council called for “an immediate end to all acts of violence”.

The EU nations in the joint statement said they were “deeply concerned about the recent Israeli announcement to extend the settlement of Givat Zeev.” On Sunday, Israel announced plans to expand the settlement between the West Bank town of Ramallah and Jerusalem, by as many as 750 new housing units.

The statement urged Israel “to take immediate action in particular on settlements and outposts.”

“The EU reiterates that settlement building anywhere in the occupied Palestinian Territories, including east Jerusalem, is illegal under international law,” the statement said.

The EU also voiced its deep concern at “the unsustainable humanitarian situation in Gaza and calls for the controlled and sustained reopening of all crossings in and out of Gaza for both humanitarian reasons and commercial flows.” The EU stressed its support for international peace efforts and supported negotiations “with a view to achieve a two-state solution”.—AFP