Brussels, 02/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative Catherine Ashton called on Israel on Wednesday 2 November to “reverse” its decision to speed up settlement activity with the construction of 2,000 new housing units in East Jerusalem and the West Bank in response to Palestinian accession to UNESCO on 31 October. Ashton says she is “deeply concerned” by the situation and argues that “Israeli settlement activity is illegal” under international law, and this includes in East Jerusalem, and is “an obstacle to peace”.
France, Germany and the United Kingdom have also condemned Israel's decision. “We call on the Israeli government not to put its plans into effect and, more generally, to end settlement-building”, the French foreign ministry said. Settlement activity “is against peoples' rights”, said Germany. UK Foreign Minister William Hague described Israel's move as “provocative and unhelpful”.
France and the UK have also condemned Israel's decision to put a freeze on transfers of funds to the Palestinian Authority.
Ashton also called on the Israelis and Palestinians “to continue their engagement with the Quartet on advancing peace efforts”. (CG/transl.rt)