PARIS, October 18, 2011 (WAFA) - The French government condemned Tuesday an Israeli to build a new settlement between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, according to a goverment press release.
Israeli government plans to build 2600 new housing units in a settlement called Givat Hamatos.
The French government statement pointed out again that colonisation, whether in the West Bank or in East Jerusalem is illegal under the terms of international law. Last Sunday, on behalf of the French government, the French ambassador asked the Israeli government to block implementation of this project.
If the decision is kept, this would indeed be regarded as one more provocation while all the efforts of the international community are focused on giving new impetus to negotiations under the terms of the Quartet’s statement of September 23rd.
Apart from being illegal, continued colonisation would diminish prospects of making Jerusalem the capital of the two States, which is essential for signature of any peace treaty. In his address to the UNGA on September 21st, the French President asked Israel to refrain from such gestures, as these prejudge the final status.
F.J./F.R.
