Ban Concerned over E1 Settlements, France, Britain to Summon Ambassadors

Local Editor

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned Sunday that "if "Israeli" implemented its latest plan for new settlements it would deal an almost fatal blow to any prospects for peace with the Palestinians."

This came as "Israel" announced about the 3,000 settler units, whose planned location was not revealed, came in the wake of a historic vote by the United Nations General Assembly to upgrade Palestine's diplomatic status.

According to Ki-moon's spokesperson, The UN official "learned with grave concern and disappointment of "Israel's" announcement of 3,000 new settlement units in East al-Quds and other parts of the West Bank.
"Settlements are illegal under international law," the spokesperson noted.
He further added: "Should the E-1 settlement be constructed, it would represent an almost fatal blow to remaining chances of securing a two-State solution."

Meanwhile, Britain and France are considering recalling their ambassadors to "Israel" over its settling plans.
In this context, "Haaretz" "Israeli" newspaper quoted Monday a senior European diplomat as saying: "This time it won't just be a condemnation, there will be real action taken against "Israel" that crossed the red line."
Another diplomat said: "London is furious about the E1 decision."
Meanwhile, the paper revealed that "Britain and France were coordinating their moves and had discussed the extraordinary step of recalling their ambassadors from Tel Aviv for consultations and had informed Washington accordingly."

"A final decision would be taken by the countries' foreign ministers on Monday," it said.


Source: News Agencies, Edited by moqawama.org