EU High Representative Borrell reacts to Israeli settlements: This is not self-defense!

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said: "I am appalled to learn that in the midst of the war, Israel will allocate new funds for the construction of more illegal settlements. This is not self-defense." Borrell spoke at the opening of the 8th Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) in Barcelona, Spain, which he co-chaired with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safedi.

Referring to Israel's new decision to allocate funds to increase illegal settlements, Borrell condemned this situation. Borrell, in a message shared on social media platform X after his speech, used the following expressions:

"I am appalled to learn that in the midst of war, Israel will allocate new funds for the construction of more illegal settlements. This is not self-defense. It will not make Israel safer. Settlements are a serious violation of international human rights and Israel's greatest security responsibility."

"There will be no peace and security for Israel without a Palestinian state," Borrell told the meeting. Recalling that Israel is also a member of the AIIB, Borrell regretted his absence from today's meeting.