EU asks Israel to refrain from expanding West Bank settlements

The European Union has reiterated its call on Israel to refrain from expanding its settlements in the occupied West Bank. "The EU reiterates its call on Israel to refrain from further settlement expansion, the legalization of outposts, land appropriation, demolitions, evictions and other unilateral measures that undermine the viability of the two-state solution," said a statement from the EU's diplomatic service spokesperson. Earlier this week, Israel's security cabinet approved a budget of 1.3 billion shekels ($427.8 million) for establishing 34 new settlements in the West Bank. United Nations bodies, Palestinians and most countries view the settlements as illegal under international conventions and a primary obstacle to peace.