By Blessing Chinagorom
The European Union Commission has reacted to the announcement by Israeli Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich that over 800 hectares of land in occupied Palestinian territory have been declared as ‘state lands’.
In a statement released by the Union who on Sunday firmly condemned this declaration said Settlements are a grave breach of international humanitarian law.
At this week’s European Council, EU leaders condemned Israeli Government decisions to further expand illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank, urging Israel to reverse these decisions.
While added that in line with its longstanding common position and UN Security Council Resolutions, the European Union will not recognise changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed by the parties.
It further said that this position goes hand in hand with the EU’s commitment to Israel’s security and to ensuring that the horrific attacks against Israeli civilians on 7 October will never be repeated.
The European Union Commission is determined to fight such terrorism in word and deed, by continuously condemning Hamas in the strongest possible terms and through sanctions and other measures.
“Settlement expansion runs counter to this objective. It fuels tensions and undermines prospects for a two-state solution, which remains the only sustainable guarantee for the long-term security of both Israelis and Palestinians”, the Statement added.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Israel announced on Friday seizure of 800 hectares (1,977 acres) of land in the occupied West Bank, described by activists as the largest land grab in decades.
The area in the northern Jordan Valley was declared “state lands” by Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich according to several reporting.
The area in the northern Jordan Valley was declared “state lands” by Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, coinciding with United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken’s visit for Gaza war discussions.
An Israeli settlement watchdog, stated that this seizure is the largest since Oslo Accords of 1993, noting that “2024 marks a peak in the extent of declarations of state land.” Israel gained control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.
“While there are those in Israel and the world who seek to undermine our right over Judea and Samaria area and the country in general, we are promoting settlement through hard work and in a strategic manner all over the country,” Smotrich said, using Israel’s term for the West Bank.
Settlements in the Palestinian territories are illegal under international law. Smotrich, who heads the extreme-right Religious Zionism party, lives in a settlement.
Despite opposition abroad, Israel authorities has in recent decades built dozens of illegal settlements across the West Bank which are now home to more than 490,000 Israelis, who live alongside around 3 million Palestinians in the territory.