New settlements undermine prospects of peace

“I am very concerned about the Israeli authorities’ announcement of additional new settlements in East Jerusalem. The construction of yet more housing units in illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine is undermining the prospects for peace,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. 

This week, Israel approved the construction of more than 3000 new housing units in Givat Hamatos and 1500 in Ramat Shlomo, in East Jerusalem. These settlements will cut off Palestinian access to the southern and northern parts of East Jerusalem respectively. These housing units come in addition to the around 3000 that were announced by the Israeli authorities at the end of November following the vote on Palestinian observer status in the UN General Assembly. 

“Givat Hamatos will be the first new Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem since Har Homa was established in the 1990s. This is undermining the prospects of a two-state solution. I deeply regret the decision and strongly urge Israel to reverse it,” said Mr Eide.