About: West Bank
Israel swears in unity government, PM insists on West Bank annexation
Israel's parliament swore in a new unity government on Sunday (17 May) led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz, ending the longest political crisis in the nation's history.
France pushing for tough EU response to any West Bank annexation
France is urging its European Union partners to consider threatening Israel with a tough response if it goes ahead with a de facto annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, three EU diplomats said.
US says would recognise Israel annexation
The United States said Monday (27 April) it was ready to recognize Israel's annexation of much of the West Bank but asked the new unity government also to negotiate with the Palestinians.
In new pro-Israel shift, US no longer calls settlements illegal
The United States no longer believes that Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories are illegal, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Monday (18 November) in the latest pro-Israel shift by Washington.
Israel approves new settlement 2 days before polls
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government approved a new settlement in the occupied West Bank on Sunday (15 September), two days ahead of a closely fought election as he seeks to boost turnout among his right-wing base.
Anger at Netanyahu’s West Bank annexation pledge
Arab and Muslim countries Wednesday (11 September) led a wave of outcry after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to annex a key part of the occupied West Bank if re-elected. The EU also reacted.
Netanyahu snubs German foreign minister in NGO row
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled talks on Tuesday (25 April) with Germany's foreign minister in a rare move after the visiting diplomat declined to call off meetings with rights groups critical of Israel's government.
Israel approves hundreds of new settler homes after attacks
Israel has approved hundreds of new settler homes in the occupied West Bank, an official said yesterday (4 July), in a move denounced by UN chief Ban Ki-moon and likely to further raise tensions following a series of Palestinian attacks.
Beyond labelling: How Europe can save the two-state solution
The EU Foreign Affairs Council last month reaffirmed its policy of differentiating between products made in Israel, and those produced in settlements. By so doing, it upheld the principle underpinning in its labeling guidelines of November 2015, writes Mousa Jiryis.
EU calls for restraint as some see a third Intifada start
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini called the Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday (11 October) and stressed that any reaction to a latest escalation of violence should be proportionate.
EU source: Gaza reconstruction aid is ‘made in Israel’
SPECIAL REPORT: A row is brewing over claims that Israel is earning millions of euros from a de facto policy of preventing non-Israeli reconstruction aid from entering the Gaza Strip.
EU alarmed by Israel settlement plans
The so-called 'Middle East Quartet' of the European Union, the United States, Russia and the United Nations yesterday (16 August) signalled their alarm over Israel's latest announcements of new settlement plans.