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France Condemns New Israeli
Settlements Plan
France has questioned Israel's plans of constructing
new settlements fearing they could threaten peace
with Palestine. The criticism follows similar calls
by the U.S. earlier this week.
France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius called on
Israel on Thursday to stop its plans for new
settlements in East Jerusalem.
France is the last country to pressure Israel to
stop their expansionist plans, joining the long
anti-settlement position of Germany, and the recent
critics of U.S. administration.
Last
week Israel approved plans to build more than 2,500
homes in East Jerusalem, which has a majority Arab
population. U.N. resolutions do not recognize
Israeli sovereignty over East Jerusalem and
considers it occupied territory
"We
condemn the Israeli authorities decision to build
2,610 homes in Givat Hamatos," said Fabius in a
statement, adding that it would be the first new
colony in East Jerusalem in 15 years.
"We
urgently call on the Israeli authorities to reverse
this decision," added the minister.
Fabius said that the new Israeli settlements
threaten the fragile between Palestine and Israel,
and questioned Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu
commitment to keeping peace in the region.
"One
cannot claim to support a solution and at the same
time do things against without consequences being
drawn, including at the European Union level," said
Fabius.
On
Wednesday, the White House condemned Israeli
settlement plans just hours after the state visit
that Netanyahu made to President Obama.
"This development will only draw condemnation from
the international community, distance Israel from
even its closest allies, poison the atmosphere, not
only with the Palestinians but also with the very
Arab governments with which Prime Minister Netanyahu
said he wanted to build relations." said White House
spokesperson Josh Earnest.
Netanyahu rejected the U.S. critics and said that
Israel was doing no wrong by approving the
settlements.
"I
don’t understand that criticism and I can't accept
that position," said Netanyahu to reporters on
Thursday.
"I
have no intention of telling Jews they can't buy
apartments in East Jerusalem. This is private
property and an individual right.” added the PM
according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Netanyahu also criticized Israeli NGO Peace Now,
which published a statement on Wednesday against the
construction plans.
"This demonstrates a lack of national
responsibility," said Netanyahu.
(Taken from TeleSur)
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