The European Union member states of the Security Council have expressed deep concern about the decision of the Israeli authorities to build a new settlement "Givat Hamatos", between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

At the end of the Security Council meeting held today Wednesday, they said in a joint statement that this decision is an addition to the expansion plans announced by Israel last October for the construction 5,000 housing units in settlements in and around Jerusalem; and the large-scale demolition of more than 70 Palestinian buildings north of the Jordan Valley.

EU Security Council countries (Belgium, Estonia, France, Germany, UK, Ireland and Norway) have condemned land seizures and demolitions in this year, which continues despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. They also condemned the threat to demolish a Palestinian school in the community of Ras El-Teen in the central West Bank, which is funded by the European Union.

The EUSC called on Israel to reverse these negative decisions at this critical and sensitive time, and called for a halt to the expansion of all settlements, including in East Jerusalem and the "Har Homa" and "Givat Hamatos" settlements, in the area named (E1), as well as demolition operations, including buildings funded by the European Union.

EU countries have stressed that the European Union will not recognize illegal settlements under international law and will not recognize any changes to pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem.