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)
