France, Germany demand Israel cancel plan to build homes in east Jerusalem

"We condemn the Israeli authorities decision to build 2,610 homes in Givat Hamatos," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in a statement.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERS
A signpost in the Givat Hamatos section of east Jerusalem (photo credit: REUTERS)
A signpost in the Givat Hamatos section of east Jerusalem
(photo credit: REUTERS)
France called on Israel on Thursday to drop plans for new settlements in east Jerusalem, joining the United States and Berlin in criticism of the move.
"We condemn the Israeli authorities decision to build 2,610 homes in Givat Hamatos," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in a statement.
"We urgently call on the Israeli authorities to reverse this decision," he said.
Fabius said the settlements threatened a "two-state solution" - meaning an independent and democratic Palestinian state living alongside Israel.
"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," Fabius said without elaborating.
The US State Department said on Wednesday that reports that Israel had moved forward with settlement plans would call into question Israel's commitment to peace.
The German Foreign Office on Thursday said that it was “highly concerned” about “Israel’s decision to expand Givat Hamatos settlement.” Berlin echoed France’s call to “revoke this step.”