EU hits out at Israel over expansion

Brussels: EU foreign ministers yesterday issued a harsh critique of Israel, saying the gathering pace of colony-building, colonist extremism, and ill-treatment of Palestinians threaten a two-state solution.

"The EU expresses deep concern about developments on the ground which threaten to make a two-state solution impossible," the bloc's 27 ministers said in a statement issued during talks in Brussels.

"The viability of a two-state solution must be maintained," the three-page European Union statement added.

Reiterating that colonies are illegal under international law, the ministers notably condemned "the marked acceleration" of colony building since the end of a 2010 moratorium and expressed "deep concern" over colony extremism and incitement in the West Bank.

They also voiced concern over evictions and the demolition of Palestinian homes in occupied East Jerusalem "and the prevention of peaceful Palestinian cultural, economic, social or political activities".

Turning to the so-called Area C zone of the West Bank, the statement underlined "the worsening living conditions" of the Palestinian population in general.