The European Union's mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah yesterday called on Israel to stop the policy of demolishing houses and expelling the Palestinian population, saying that these practices undermine the possibility of achieving a two-state solution and lasting peace.

A European mission statement said it was following with concern the declared intention of the Israeli authorities to begin the demolition of 10 Palestinian buildings of about 70 apartments, exposing three families, including 17 individuals, including nine children, to the risk of displacement in the Wadi Hummus neighborhood of Jerusalem.

The statement also noted with concern the expulsion by the Israeli authorities of a Palestinian family from the Silwan neighborhood in East Jerusalem a few days ago, in addition to the receipt of demolition orders by several other families in the Yassol Valley, with about 50 cases currently pending in the Jerusalem District Court.

"In line with the EU's firm position on the Israeli settlement policy, which is illegal under international law, like other measures taken in this context, such as forced transfers, evictions, demolition and confiscation of houses, the EU expects the Israeli authorities to reconsider Carrying out planned demolitions and evictions. "

"EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah recall the conclusions of the successive Foreign Affairs Council, in which the EU reiterated its strong opposition to the Israeli settlement policy and the actions taken in this context."

"The continuation of this policy undermines the possibility of achieving a two-state solution and lasting peace, and seriously threatens the possibility that Jerusalem will be the future capital of both the Palestinian and Israeli states," the statement said.

This comes at a time when the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants held the Israeli government responsible for the death of a Palestinian prisoner yesterday in Israeli prisons.

In a statement, the ministry called for the formation of an international commission of inquiry under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross to find out the circumstances and details of the death of the prisoner, which she described as a "racist crime."

The ministry also called for "legal and political protection for Palestinian prisoners".

Palestinian official sources announced the death of a Palestinian prisoner yesterday in Israeli prisons, about a month after his arrest.

The 31-year-old resident of the West Bank died in solitary confinement at the Israeli Nitzan detention center in Ramle, the head of the prisoners' affairs and liberation committee, Major General Kadri Abu Bakr, said in a statement.

The Palestinian official blamed Israel for the death of the prisoner and for "racist crimes" against the prisoners, such as physical and psychological torture and medical negligence.