How Europe helps sustain illegal Israeli settlements
The signatories to this report – humanitarian, development, human rights, peace-building and faith organisations from nine EU member states, as well as from Norway and Switzerland - have been witnessing the daily impacts of Israeli settlements on Palestinian communities in the occupied territory for many years. In contrast to the commonly held perception that the situation is one of stalemate and status quo, they have seen that the reality on the ground is far from static. Settlements are expanding, reducing Palestinian access to resources such as water and farmland, while the related infrastructure of checkpoints, settler roads and the separation barrier is blocking their freedom of movement and hindering their access to basic services. Palestinian homes and infrastructure are being demolished to make way for settlements, displacing hundreds of people every year.