EU reiterates its call on Israel to refrain from more expansion of settlements

The European Union on Friday 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.