EU Condemns Palestinians' Eviction in East Jerusalem

The European Union missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah condemned on Saturday the recent eviction of a Palestinian family from its east Jerusalem home, ahead of its inhabitation by Jewish settlers.

The EU missions "condemn the eviction of the Natshe family from their home in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Beit Hanina," a statement read.

They were also "deeply concerned by the plans to build a new settlement in the midst of this traditional Palestinian neighborhood," the statement continued, noting that "settlements are illegal under international law."

On Wednesday, Israeli police evicted the family from their home in the annexed east Jerusalem neighborhood after Jewish settlers won a court battle over ownership.

The eviction of the 14-member Natshe family from two houses in Beit Hanina was the first successful attempt by settlers to secure a property in the well-heeled Arab district in the northern part of east Jerusalem.

Israel captured east Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War, and considers all the city its "eternal, undivided" capital. It does not consider construction in the eastern sector settlement building.

But the Palestinians want east Jerusalem as the capital of their promised state, and furiously denounce any move by Israel to buy or build property there.

The international community considers all Israeli settlement on occupied land to be illegal under international law.