United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East
On 22 January, a representative from the European Union (EU) addressed the United Nations (UN) Security Council about the EU's concern of the escalation of violence in the West Bank and Jerusalem, the increase in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and the evictions of Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah and Khan al-Ahmar. The representative also criticized the cuts in aid to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). While the U.S. was not explicitly mentioned in the address, it was undoubtedly a rebuke of the U.S. policy of cutting all aid to UNRWA (see United States). Lastly, the EU representative stressed that the current situation in the conflict is not a status quo, as the gradual increase of settlements in the West Bank impedes a 2-state solution. The EU also contributed with $107 million to UNRWA this quarter (see Donors).
East Jerusalem
The EU criticized Israel's extension of the ban on Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem in a statement. The statement said, “there is a strong need for such institutions, which should be allowed to function as focal points for Palestinians in East Jerusalem.” “This is a key concern for the EU, as the lack of Palestinian institutional presence in East Jerusalem continues to negatively affect the political, economic, social and cultural life of Palestinians living there, as well as the security situation on the ground.”
On 25 February, the EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah condemned in a statement the eviction of a Palestinian family from their home in East Jerusalem and their replacement by Israeli settlers. The statement also criticized plans for similar evictions in Shaykh Jarrah, Silwan, Bayt Safafa, and the Old City, along with Israel's settlement policy in general. “The policy of settlement construction and expansion, including in East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law, and its continuation undermines the viability of the two-state solution and the prospect of a lasting peace.”
Israeli Tax Deductions
The EU also criticized Israel's decision to deduct $138 million from the tax revenue that Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Israel has argued that the $138 million is used to pay Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and their families. An EU representative said that Israel's unilateral decision contravenes signed agreements and that the tax revenue should be transferred in full to the PA.
Visegrad Summit
The leaders of 3 EU countries, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia announced in meetings held in Israel with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that they would open diplomatic offices in Jerusalem. The 3 countries' leaders were in Israel for the Visegrad Summit; the Visegrad group is a cultural and political alliance comprising the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. The summit, however, was canceled after Poland withdrew due to Prime Minister Netanyahu's comment, a week prior to the planned summit, that “Poles cooperated with the Nazis” in Poland. The foreign minister of the Czech Republic later in February reaffirmed the country's commitment to UN resolutions on Jerusalem, saying that the Czech Republic ultimately would not move its embassy to Jerusalem.
Golan Heights
On 21 March, U.S. president Donald Trump announced that his administration “fully recognize[s] Israel's Sovereignty [sic] over the Golan Heights” via Twitter (see United States). The EU subsequently released a statement emphasizing that their position had not changed in light of the U.S. policy change.