European Union chief diplomat condemns largest seizure of occupied land since Oslo Accords
The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has stated that Israel’s actions last Friday amount to the most extensive grab of occupied territory recorded since the Oslo Agreements were signed in 1993. He asserted that the move flagrantly violates international humanitarian law and condemned it with clear authority.
The announcement came from one of the most hardline figures in the Israeli government, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who described on Friday the declaration of 800 hectares in the occupied West Bank as “state land.” The land is located in the northern Jordan Valley, with plans to annex it to the nearby settler outpost of Yafit.
Israel has reclassified the areas it designates as “state land” as no longer private property of Palestinians under its laws and rules, allowing the spaces to be leased or sold to Israeli settlers.
“The European Union firmly condemns the Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich’s declaration that more than 800 hectares of land within the occupied Palestinian territory have been designated as state land. This represents the largest confiscation since the Oslo Agreements”, Borrell stated in a formal release.
He emphasized that such actions jeopardize any chance for progress toward a peace settlement and undermine long-standing EU objectives. The EU has repeatedly underscored that unilateral changes to borders established in 1967 would not be recognized, reinforcing a commitment to a negotiated two-state solution that both peoples deserve.
Borrell argued that the expansion of settlements stands in opposition to Brussels’ aims to assist Israel while preventing further violence against civilians. He noted that recent deadly attacks on civilians on October 7 were a grim reminder of why stable, agreed borders and a lawful framework are essential for lasting security, urging restraint and a return to dialogue.
In describing the broader impact, the EU’s lead diplomat argued that moves like the land declaration feed tensions and threaten prospects for a durable peace. The emphasis remained on safeguarding humanitarian norms and supporting avenues toward a sustainable two-state outcome that would provide security for both Israelis and Palestinians in the long term.
Officials stated that the European Union will continue to monitor developments on the ground and advocate for actions that reduce harm to civilians, uphold international law, and preserve space for diplomacy. The objective remains clear: a peaceful resolution that honors the rights and security of both communities, without unilateral changes that could destabilize the region.
Observers noted that the stance taken by the EU aligns with calls from European leaders and many international partners who seek a restraint-based approach and renewed negotiations. The focus remains on preventing a slide into heightened conflict and protecting civilian lives while respecting international legal frameworks and documented borders. Stakeholders across the Atlantic have expressed support for diplomatic channels, humanitarian safeguards, and oversight that can prevent further escalation and progress toward a durable solution.