The French government has charged Israel with contravening “all United Nations resolutions on the subject” by extending Israeli services to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and by establishing new Israeli settlements in this area. A French Foreign Ministry spokesman, who made this declaration at a regular press briefing Friday, added that these Israeli initiatives have “introduced new difficulties” in the search for peace.
The spokesman said “They are viewed with deep concern by the French government”. He added, “at a time when negotiations seem to be progressing, such unilateral decisions can only introduce new complications and compromise chances for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East”.
French diplomatic missions in West European capitals have reportedly been in touch with France’s eight European Economic Community partners urging joint action on this subject. French officials say “the general response has been positive” to the French request.
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