MEPs have voted through a European Parliament resolution on EU policy on the West Bank and East Jerusalem that firmly criticises Israeli Government construction and expansion of illegal settlements saying they constitute a major obstacle to peace efforts.

"This vote signals a shift in the position of the EP as regards the situation Israel is imposing on East Jerusalem and the West Bank. It is the first time such a strong message emanates from our House and I am very happy and proud to have participated in this historic vote" said Cypriot GUE/NGL MEP Kyriacos Triantaphyllides after the vote.

The resolution calls on both parties to resume talks on a two-state solution without delay  and also seeks to ensure that the EU control mechanism – the ‘technical arrangements’ – does not allow Israeli settlement products to be imported to the European market under the preferential terms of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

"The Council has indubitably and publicly declared that Israel cannot continue creating conditions on the ground which impede the two-state solution and that it must comply with international law. Therefore, its policies with regards to settlements, evictions and house demolitions, residency status of Palestinians and Palestinian prisoners must change" said Triantaphyllides.

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:

David Lundy +32 485 50 58 12

Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20

david.lundy@europarl.europa.eu

gabrielle.kavanagh@europarl.europa.eu

European United Left / Nordic Green Left

European Parliamentary Group

www.guengl.eu