EU blasts new Israeli demolition campaign in East al-Quds

The European Union has denounced Israel’s new demolition campaign in East Jerusalem al-Quds under which a number of shops and petrol stations have been demolished since Wednesday. 

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini issued a statement on Saturday against Israel’s “policy of settlement construction and expansion,” saying it is undermining any chances of peace with Palestinians.

The policy “continues to undermine the possibility of a viable two-state solution, with Jerusalem [al-Quds] as the future capital of both states, which is the only realistic way to achieve a just and lasting peace,” she said.

Israeli bulldozers destroyed 16 shops and three petrol stations at the Shuafat refugee camp in East al-Quds on Wednesday as troops stood by.

The EU also denounced Israel’s advancement of plans for construction of close to 800 units for settlers in East Jerusalem al-Quds.

Last week, the bloc condemned Israel’s “legal proceedings” that could lead to the eviction of 700 Palestinians living in the Silwan neighborhood of East Jerusalem al-Quds.

“The European Union is strongly opposed to Israel’s settlement policy, illegal under international law, and actions taken in that context, such as forced transfers, evictions, and demolitions,” Mogherini’s office said.

“The EU expects the Israeli authorities to reconsider and reverse these decisions,” the statement added.

Israel occupied the Palestinian territory of the West Bank, including East al-Quds, in 1967. It later annexed East al-Quds in a move never recognized by the international community.

Ever since the occupation, the Israeli regime has been setting up hundreds of illegal settlements across the West Bank in direct violation of the international law, which bans construction on occupied territory.

In order to make room for settlements, it regularly levels Palestinian homes, claiming they had been built without a “building permit.”

Palestinians in East Jerusalem al-Quds and parts of the West Bank say it is nearly impossible for them to get approvals for constructions.