The European Union condemned the announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of his intention to legalize five settlement outposts in the occupied Palestinian territories, and considered it another deliberate attempt to undermine peace efforts.

European Union spokesman Peter Stano said in a press statement on Saturday that European Union leaders, at this week's European Council meeting, condemned the Israeli government's decisions to expand illegal settlements throughout the occupied West Bank, and urged Israel to reverse these decisions.

The European Union stressed that, in line with its common position and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, it will not recognize changes to the 1967 borders unless the two parties agree to this.

EU stressed the need to stop measures that weaken the Palestinian Authority, and called on Israel to release withheld clearing revenues, and to take the necessary measures to ensure the continuation of correspondent banking services between Israeli and Palestinian banks.
EU affirmed its firm commitment to lasting and sustainable peace in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, on the basis of the two-state solution.