Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh, in a statement on his account on the US-based social media platform X, evaluated the declaration published following the European Council’s latest summit meeting.
Al-Sheikh stated, "We welcome the position taken at the recent European Council summit regarding the cessation of the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements, the withdrawal of the construction tender in the E1 area, the release of Palestinian tax revenues, and the assurance of the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip."
Stating that they appreciate Europe's support for international law and the rights of the Palestinian people, al-Sheikh expressed, "We highly value Europe's continuous support to the Palestinian people and leadership, as well as its contribution to institutional reform efforts that foster stability and the realization of our people's aspirations."
Emphasizing that these stances must be met with action on the ground, al-Sheikh noted the following:
"It is of great importance that this stance translates into concrete and effective steps that will contribute to ending the occupation and establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian State based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the two-state solution and international legitimacy resolutions."
In the European Council's final declaration, commitment to the two-state solution principle, which envisions Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace in line with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, was once again reaffirmed.
It was condemned that Israel's steps to expand illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem—which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has declared unlawful—especially the E1 project, which threatens the territorial integrity of Palestinian lands, and the escalating violence by Israeli settlers usurping Palestinian lands, are endangering the physical basis of the two-state solution.
Additionally, within the framework of UNSC Resolution 2803, emphasis was placed on a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, the withdrawal of the Israeli army, the exclusion of Hamas from future governance, and the transition to civilian administration.
It was stated that the release of tax revenues withheld by Israel and the continuation of correspondent banking services are of vital importance for the Palestinian Authority to maintain public services and renew its democratic legitimacy through elections.
There are 365 illegal settlements established by usurping Palestinian lands in the West Bank
The "Kfar Etzion" Jewish settlement in the southern West Bank is considered the first Jewish settlement, having been established immediately after Israel occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 1967. Afterwards, hundreds of illegal settlements were built in the West Bank.
According to data from the Israeli NGO Peace Now for 2024, excluding East Jerusalem, approximately 3 million Palestinians live in the occupied West Bank, while the population of Israelis who have usurped Palestinian lands exceeds 500,000.
According to Palestinian statistics, there are approximately 750,000 Israelis in the occupied West Bank, residing in 141 illegal settlements and 224 outposts established by Jewish groups that are considered "illegal" even under Israeli law. Approximately 250,000 of them live in 15 settlements in occupied East Jerusalem.
The Jewish settlements established by Israel in the territories it occupies and the transfer of its population there are considered illegal under international law.
