The four European nations also urged the Israeli government to reverse its decision on the demolition of Palestinian structures.
France, Germany, Italy, and Spain have expressed their concern over Israel’s decision to construct new houses and the demolition of Palestinian structures in East Jerusalem.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the four European nations said, “We are deeply concerned at the decision to advance plans for the construction of hundreds of new housing units in East Jerusalem, including between Givat HaMatos and Har Homa.”
“The new housing units would further disconnect the West Bank from East Jerusalem and constitute an additional obstacle to the Two-State Solution.”
They also urged the Israeli government to reverse its decision on the demolition of Palestinian structures.
“We are also deeply concerned by the recent developments in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. We urge the Israeli Government to permanently halt eviction and demolition procedures of Palestinian structures in East Jerusalem, as well as in Area C, which contribute to fuelling tensions on the ground,” the statement said.
They further said Israel’s decision “threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state”.
“Israeli settlements are in clear violation of international law and stand in the way of a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians,” they added.
Earlier, the Israeli police had forcefully evicted a Palestinian family of 15 members in Sheikh Jarrah, the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood where evictions helped trigger a round of fighting between Israel and Hamas last year, The Guardian reported.
One of the victims was quoted as saying that some of the family members were beaten, including a nine-year-old girl.