EU to call on Israel to extend settlement halt
Draft of conclusions from EU summit calls on Israel, Palestinians 'to observe calm and restraint,' avoid moves that could strain negotiation process
European Union leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday will call on Israel to extend a moratorium on settlement building in the occupied West Bank, according to a draft of the summit conclusions seen by Reuters.
"The European Union deems it indispensable that both parties observe calm and restraint and refrain from actions that could affect negatively the progress of the negotiation," reads the draft, referring to direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks that began this month.
"In this regard, it recalls that settlements are illegal under international law and, with a view to ensure that these talks continue in a constructive manner, calls for an extension of the moratorium decided by Israel."
Israel's 10-month moratorium is due to expire at the end of September. The United States has said it would "make sense" for Israel to extend its settlement building freeze.
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