BRUSSELS, Wednesday, May 24, 2023 (WAFA) – The European Union said today that it was gravely concerned by the decision of the Israeli occupation authorities to allow Israeli settlers to return to the evacuated Homesh settlement outpost in the north of the occupied West bank and said it was appalled by settler violence against Palestinian civilians at Ein Samiya community near Ramallah that forced the residents to leave that area in fear for their lives and the lives of their children. ‘The European Union is gravely concerned by and condemns the decision of the Israeli authorities to allow Israeli citizens to establish permanent presence in the outpost in Homesh in the occupied West Bank. The EU urges the Israeli government to reverse this and its decisions taken on 17 May to advance plans for more than 600 housing units in existing and new settlements in the West Bank,’ said a statement by the EU spokesperson. ‘Settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the viability of the two-state solution. Such unilateral actions go against efforts to lower tensions on the ground.’ The statement also said that the EU ‘is appalled to learn that the Palestinian community of Ein Samiya in the occupied West Bank, which comprises 172 people, including 78 children, was forced to leave their homes permanently, as a result of repeated settler attacks and demolition orders. The EU firmly condemns settler violence and calls on Israel to ensure accountability.’

Source: Palestine News & Information Agency