BRUSSELS, April 6, 2011 (WAFA) – The European Union's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, and British Foreign Secretary William Hague Wednesday denounced in two separate statements Israel’s new settlement plans.

'I am deeply disappointed by the approval of 942 new housing units in the Israeli settlement of Gilo, East Jerusalem,” said Ashton.

“The EU is also closely following upcoming plans for settlements on the Mount Scopus Slopes, in Har Homa C and in Pisgat Ze’ev. These plans may further damage an already fragile political environment.”

Ashton said “the EU considers that settlement activities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law, undermine trust between the parties and constitute an obstacle to peace.”

She said that “The actions taken by the Israeli Government contravene repeated and urgent calls by the international community, including the Quartet, and run counter to achieving a peaceful solution that will preserve Israel’s security and realize the Palestinians’ right to statehood. If there is to be genuine peace, a way must be found to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states.'

British Foreign Secretary William Hague echoed similar remarks.

“I condemn Israel’s decision to approve more than 900 settlement units in the East Jerusalem suburb of Gilo and the retrospective approval which has been given for construction in five West Bank settlements,” he said.

“This is not disputed territory. It is occupied Palestinian territory and ongoing settlement expansion is illegal under international law, an obstacle to peace and a threat to a two state solution,” he said.

M.A.