Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-002180/2025
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 144
Hana Jalloul Muro (S&D)
On 29 May 2025, Israeli authorities announced the establishment of 22 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move that directly contravenes international law, including UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016)[1]. This follows earlier statements by Prime Minister Netanyahu concerning plans to annex up to 30 % of the West Bank. These developments represent a serious escalation of de facto annexation, further eroding the viability of a two-state solution and fuelling instability in the region.
Despite these repeated breaches, the EU has yet to adopt any effective response, raising serious questions about its credibility and its commitment to upholding international law. Failure to act not only undermines Palestinian rights but also weakens the EU’s stated commitment to a rules-based international order.
In the light of these serious developments:
- 1.What steps will the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) take to ensure a strong and united EU response to these illegal settlement expansions?
- 2.Does the VP/HR intend to propose concrete measures, including potential restrictive actions, to deter further annexation or de facto annexation by Israel’s Government?
- 3.How does the VP/HR view the credibility of the EU’s role as a mediator in the Middle East peace process, given the Israeli authorities’ continued disregard for international law?
Submitted: 30.5.2025
- [1] UN Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016) of 23 December 2016 on cessation of Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.