A/HRC/28/43 the report of the High Commissioner on the same subject matter, presented in March 2014 (A/HRC/25/39). 40. The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to its long-standing position not to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over territories occupied in 1967, namely, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and the [Syrian] Golan Heights. 41. The European Union referred to its latest Council conclusions of 17 November 2014 in which it recalled that actions which called into question stated commitments to a negotiated solution must be avoided. Further, the European Union deeply deplored and strongly opposed the recent expropriation of land near Bethlehem, and recent announcements of plans for new settlement construction, in particular in Givat Hamatos, Ramat Shlomo, Har Homa and Ramot, as well as plans to displace Bedouins in the West Bank, and the continued demolitions, including of projects funded by the European Union and member States. The European Union noted that it had urged Israel to reverse these decisions, which ran counter to international law and directly threatened the two state solution. The European Union further stated that recent settlement activity in East Jerusalem seriously jeopardized the possibility of Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states. 42. The European Union recalled the illegality of settlements under international law, and that the European Union and its member States remained committed to ensuring continued, full and effective implementation of existing European Union legislation and bilateral agreements applicable to settlement products. The European Union noted that it closely monitored the situation and its broader implications and remained ready to take further action in order to protect the viability of the two state solution. 43. The European Union pointed out that it had, since 1 January 2014, applied guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli entities and their activities in the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967 for grants, prizes and financial instruments funded by the European Union. The European Union stated its belief that the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights should be applied globally, and further noted that it had called upon European companies to apply these principles in all circumstances, including in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. 10