”The Jordan Valley is not only the “eastern gate” of Israel, said Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “it is a defensive wall from the east because the Jordan Valley, together with the areas that control it, which will be part of the State of Israel, ensure that the IDF will be here forever. Instead of having a state that is only a few kilometers wide, this will be a state with strategic depth.”

BRUSSELS—-At its last weekly meeting before Tuesday’s election, the Israeli cabinet approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal to officially recognize the community of Mevo’ot Yericho which was until then an outpost.

Netanyahu also reiterated his pledge to annex the Jordan Valley if reelected.

The Jordan Valley is not only the “eastern gate” of Israel, he said, “it is a defensive wall from the east because the Jordan Valley, together with the areas that control it, which will be part of the State of Israel, ensure that the IDF will be here forever. Instead of having a state that is only a few kilometers wide, this will be a state with strategic depth.”

In a statement issued this week, the European Union criticized this move as it reiterated its longstanding stance that ‘’all settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law.’’

‘’The EU calls on Israel to end all settlement activity and to dismantle the outposts erected since March 2001, in line with prior obligations,’’ an EU spokesperson said.

The statement also said that the possible annexation of the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea area ‘’would, if implemented, constitute a serious breach of international law, challenge the viability of the two-state solution and threaten regional stability and the prospects for sustainable peace.’’

‘’The EU will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties,’’ the statement added.

‘’The EU will continue to monitor the situation closely, including any steps towards possible annexation, and act accordingly. We expect both parties, including any future Israeli government, to act in accordance with international law,’’ the EU said.