Following the unacceptable declaration by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, Socialists and Democrats call on the Trump administration to stop playing political games at the expense of Palestinians and Israelis, and hope for peace in the Middle East.

S&D vice-president for foreign affairs, Kati Piri, added:

“Once again in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump is acting like a bull in a china shop. After moving the US embassy to Jerusalem and unilaterally recognising Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, we condemn another reckless, irresponsible declaration by the Trump administration.

“The US announcement about the alleged consistency with international law of Israeli civilian settlements in the West Bank doesn´t help calm the situation on the ground. On the contrary, it risks inflaming tensions at the expense of Palestinians and Israelis, with consequences for the whole world.

“Israeli settlements, as immediately pointed out by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini, are illegal under international law, and Israel has the obligation to end all settlement activity as an occupying power.

“The two-state solution is the only viable hope for ending the occupation and achieving a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Ever-growing Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including in East Jerusalem, are killing this hope.

“Another round of violence in and around the Gaza Strip two weeks ago showed again what is at stake. We remain fully committed to the security of Israel, and we strongly condemn the indiscriminate firing of more than 500 rockets by Islamic Jihad into Israeli territory.  We equally condemn the killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including women and children.

“All this must end now.”

S&D press contact