‘’The EU has repeatedly called on Israel to end all settlement activity, and to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001. It remains the EU’s firm position that settlements are illegal under international law,’’ he added.

According to The Jerusalem Post, right-wing activists called a European Union delegation “antisemites” and “supporters of terror” as they hounded them off the   Givat Hamatos hilltop on Monday.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he is ‘’deeply worried’’ by the Israeli authorities’ decision to open the bidding process for the construction of housing units in the Givat Hamatos neighborhood of Jerusalem. 

‘’This is a key location between Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. Any settlement construction will cause serious damage to the prospects for a viable and contiguous Palestinian State and, more broadly, to the possibility of a negotiated two-state solution in line with the internationally agreed parameters and with Jerusalem as the future capital of two states,’’ Borrell said in a statement.

‘’The EU has repeatedly called on Israel to end all settlement activity, and to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001. It remains the EU’s firm position that settlements are illegal under international law,’’ he added.

He also stated: ‘’The announced settlement activity will lead to the continuing weakening of efforts to rebuild trust and confidence between the parties which is necessary for an eventual resumption of meaningful negotiations.’’

Borrell said that the Israeli government ‘’should instead show vision and responsibility and reverse these negative decisions at this critical and sensitive time.’’

According to The Jerusalem Post, right-wing activists called a European Union delegation “antisemites” and “supporters of terror” as they hounded them off the   Givat Hamatos hilltop on Monday.

The EU delegation, which represented 14 EU countries plus Norway and was led by EU Representative for the West Bank Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff, had come to protest Israel’s publication of a tender for 1,257 Jewish homes in the Jerusalem neighborhood.

“You are antisemites. You are against Jewish building. Shut up and go home. According to the Bible this is Jewish land. This is the Jewish capital of Israel,” the activists reportedly shouted.

EU Foreign Ministers are to exchange views on Thursday with Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki during their video conference meeting.