Michael Lynk, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories (Photo: REUTERS/Denis Balibouse)

No specific details were given on the settlements to be annexed. There are three main settlement blocs — Ma’ale Adumim (to the east of Jerusalem), the Etzion Bloc (to the capital’s south) and Ariel (in the heart of the West Bank, southwest of Nablus) — all of which Israel has long indicated it would seek to retain under any negotiated accord with the Palestinians.

Michael Lynk, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, said the EU should back up its warnings against Israeli plans with “a decisive menu of counter-measures”, including economic, trade or other sanctions.