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UK and France summon Israeli envoys in settlements row | UK and France summon Israeli envoys in settlements row |
(35 minutes later) | |
Britain and France have both summoned Israeli ambassadors in protest at Israel's decision to approve the construction of 3,000 new homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. | Britain and France have both summoned Israeli ambassadors in protest at Israel's decision to approve the construction of 3,000 new homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. |
The UK said the move would cast doubt on Israel's "stated commitment to achieving peace with the Palestinians". | The UK said the move would cast doubt on Israel's "stated commitment to achieving peace with the Palestinians". |
Israel authorised the 3,000 additional housing units a day after the UN voted to upgrade Palestinian status. | Israel authorised the 3,000 additional housing units a day after the UN voted to upgrade Palestinian status. |
The UN warned the homes would be "an almost fatal blow" to peace hopes. | The UN warned the homes would be "an almost fatal blow" to peace hopes. |
Sweden also summoned the Israeli ambassador, while Russia and Germany expressed their opposition to the settlement plans. | |
'Preliminary zoning' | 'Preliminary zoning' |
href="http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=840869382" >In a statement, the UK Foreign Office said it was urging Israel to reconsider, and threatened a "strong reaction" if the homes went ahead. | |
It said: "We deplore the recent Israeli government decision to build 3,000 new housing units and unfreeze development in the E1 block. This threatens the viability of the two state solution." | It said: "We deplore the recent Israeli government decision to build 3,000 new housing units and unfreeze development in the E1 block. This threatens the viability of the two state solution." |
The British and French governments have made their displeasure at Israel's latest settlement announcement clear, and there are hints that further steps could be taken. | |
The threat to build in the area designated E1, east of Jerusalem, has especially annoyed Western governments - indeed, successive US administrations have been given assurances by Israel that it would not build there. Construction in E1 would effectively cut the West Bank into two and form a settlement barrier to the eastern approaches of Jerusalem. | |
Indications from Israel had suggested that its initial response to the UN General Assembly vote granting the Palestinians permanent observer status would be largely rhetorical. There's a sense in the air that the diplomatic climate is changing but no real evidence as yet that Washington - the critical player - is again ready to invest in the elusive quest for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. | |
Plans for construction in the E1 area - between Jerusalem and the West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim - are strongly opposed by Palestinians, who say such development will prevent the creation of a contiguous Palestinian state. | Plans for construction in the E1 area - between Jerusalem and the West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim - are strongly opposed by Palestinians, who say such development will prevent the creation of a contiguous Palestinian state. |
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon earlier warned that the E1 plans would have to be rescinded. | UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon earlier warned that the E1 plans would have to be rescinded. |
"It would represent an almost fatal blow to remaining chances of securing a two-state solution," Mr Ban said. | "It would represent an almost fatal blow to remaining chances of securing a two-state solution," Mr Ban said. |
An Israeli official has described the proposals in the E1 zone as "preliminary zoning and planning work". | An Israeli official has described the proposals in the E1 zone as "preliminary zoning and planning work". |
The Israeli envoy to Paris was summoned to a meeting on Monday morning, French foreign ministry spokesman, Philippe Lalliot, said in a statement. | The Israeli envoy to Paris was summoned to a meeting on Monday morning, French foreign ministry spokesman, Philippe Lalliot, said in a statement. |
The BBC's Peter Biles says the UK is coordinating closely with France in sending clear warning signals to Israel, but he says a suggestion in the Israeli press that Britain and France may recall their ambassadors in protest seems unlikely at this stage. | |
German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said in Berlin: "Israel is undermining faith in its willingness to negotiate and the geographic space for a future Palestinian state, which must be the basis for a two-state solution, is disappearing." | |
The Russian foreign ministry website said the move would have "a most adverse impact" on peace. | |
Israel has condemned the Palestinians' diplomatic move at the UN as a "gross violation" of previous agreements with Israel. | Israel has condemned the Palestinians' diplomatic move at the UN as a "gross violation" of previous agreements with Israel. |
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also brushed off criticism of the settlement plans. | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also brushed off criticism of the settlement plans. |
"We will carry on building in Jerusalem and in all the places that are on the map of Israel's strategic interests," he said. | "We will carry on building in Jerusalem and in all the places that are on the map of Israel's strategic interests," he said. |
About 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since the occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. | About 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since the occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. |
The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. | The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this. |
Two decades of on-off negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority have failed to produce a permanent settlement, with the latest round of direct negotiations breaking down in 2010. | Two decades of on-off negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority have failed to produce a permanent settlement, with the latest round of direct negotiations breaking down in 2010. |