Last week, an EU spokesperson issued a statement in which the European Union condemned the approval by the Israeli High Planning Committee of plans ‘’for advancing over 3.426 housing units, further expanding illegal settlements across the occupied West Bank.’’
The EU urged Israel ‘’to reverse these decisions,’’ reiterating that settlements are illegal under international law and constitute an obstacle to peace, as they threaten the two-state solution.’’ This is the usual terminology used by the EU on the Israeli settlements in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).
The statement added, ‘’Furthermore, the expansion of settlements is completely inconsistent with ongoing efforts to reduce tensions, which is even more important ahead of the upcoming religious festivities of Ramadan, Pessah and Easter.’’
The statement concluded: ‘’ The EU’s position remains unchanged: it will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties.’’
Iraq statement hours later….
Just to highlight that several hours after, the EU External Service issued another statement, this time ‘’on the latest execution’’ in Iraq.
The statement read: ‘’The European Union expresses its regret over the latest execution of 13 individuals that took place on the same day in Iraq. The EU is also concerned by reports of up to 250 people being at risk of imminent execution in the country.’’
The EU reiterates, as a matter of principle, its strong opposition to the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances. It is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which represents the ultimate denial of the right to life and of human dignity. The death penalty fails to act as a deterrent to crime and makes miscarriages of justice irreversible. The EU will continue to work for the abolition of the death penalty in the few remaining countries that still apply it.’’
I am really sure that the EU will succeed in obtaining the abolition of the death penalty in Iraq or in Iran. Like it succeeded in convincing the Iranian regime to change its human rights policy…
If you look at the difference of wording between both statements, it is obvious that there is a anti-Israel climate within the EEAS. The EU condemned Israel while it expressed regret about exécution of 13 individuals……