PARIS, Dec 24 (KUNA) — France said on Monday that it was opposed to and condemned Israels settlement policy which is harming the future viability of a Palestinian state, and it urged Israel to refrain from “unilateral” acts that would prejudice final status agreements yet to be decided.
Commenting an Israeli announcement that 740 housing units would go ahead in two disputed areas of East Jerusalem, a plan supported even my Ministers serving in the Israel Cabinet, the French Foreign Ministry said this went against French wishes as expressed after the Annapolis and Paris conferences.
“Following the Annapolis and Paris conferences, France invited the Israeli authorities to refrain from any unilateral act that could prejudge the final status of the Palestinian Territories and call into question the ongoing political process,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Pascale Andreani said in answer to questions.
“You indeed know our position of principle: France condemns the pursuit of settlement-building which harms the viability of a future Palestinian State,” the French official said.
The Israeli settlement plan aims to expand existing lots on Jebal Abou Gheneim district and the Maale Adumim area in the part of Jerusalem destined to be the Palestinian capital later on. The decision to expand the settlements comes despite promises by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to freeze settlements, a promise uttered both before and after Annapolis.