France condemns Israeli plans for 900 new homes in East Jerusalem

Aug 5, 2011, 13:10 GMT

Paris - France on Friday condemned a decision by Israel's government to authorize the construction of over 900 new homes in East Jerusalem, saying the move threw up a further barrier to a negotiated peace in the Middle East.

Israel's interior ministry on Thursday approved the building of 930 homes in Har Homa, on the southern outskirts of the city.

Israeli media said construction was estimated to begin within two to three years.

The French foreign ministry said the decision 'further compromises the possibility of a negotiated solution, which must allow Israel and Palestine to live side by side in security, with Jerusalem as a capital of both states.'

Israel's settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem were 'illegal' and constituted an obstacle to peace, the ministry said in a statement, calling on Israel 'to come back on its decision.'

Israeli officials were quoted in the Jerusalem Post daily as saying the construction of the new homes was a partial solution to Israel's lack of affordable housing, a crisis that has sparked mass protests across the country since mid-July.

Palestinians, who want East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, have demanded a freeze on Israeli construction in the West Bank and East-Jerusalem as a condition for renewing peace talks.

The peace talks have been stalled for nearly a year.

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