Continuation of settlement activity in East Jerusalem – Statement by the Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs
Paris, 10 March 2010
France condemns the project announced by the Israeli Ministry of Interior to build more than 1,600 homes in East Jerusalem. This decision is totally inopportune at the time when the peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians are resuming. In addition, it is illegal under international law.
With the indirect peace negotiations getting under way, it is more necessary than ever to establish the climate of trust without which the talks will not be able achieve their objective: the creation of a viable, sovereign, independent and democratic Palestinian State living in peace alongside Israel, within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions and Arab Peace Initiative.
The decision announced yesterday does not contribute to this./.