France 'concerned' by expansion of Jerusalem homes

[Jefferson23]

Foreign Ministry says state-approved plan to allow 2,000 homes in Ramat Shlomo to add rooms 'illegal,' urges Israel, Palestinians to resume talks

Published: 06.20.11, 17:48 / Israel News

France is deeply concerned over Israel's authorization to expand 2,000 homes built in east Jerusalem, the French Foreign Ministry said Monday.

"Our position is constant: Settlement construction is illegal in the eyes of international law, in the West Bank as well as in east Jerusalem," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said.


The Interior Ministry's planning and construction committee on Sunday approved the expansion of 2,000 homes in the neighborhood of Ramat Shlomo, allowing each home to add a room.


France called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to resume peace talks based on proposals made by French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe when he visited the region earlier this month.

in full: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4084806,00.html

"We call on the parties to resume negotiations based on principles contained in the French initiative presented by Alain Juppe to Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Abbas during his recent visit to the Middle East, and to refrain from unilateral gestures which undermine the trust necessary for this resumption," Valero said.

[holdencaufield]

1. Jurisdiction?

And France has jurisdiction in this matter because...?

[Jefferson23]

2. For one, Israel wishes France to vote no this September and side with Israel

on the UN matter, so France may be attempting to get something from Israel if they want
that vote..but that is my guess. Or maybe they are just pissed off at such an arrogant move by Israel?

As far as helping to broker a peace deal, yes, France is giving Israel good advice. It is a provocative move by Israel
when you consider this too: "Sunday's announcement by the Israeli government coincides with a meeting between Netanyahu and the European Union's head of diplomacy, Catherine Ashton"

But France having jurisdiction on the matter, nope. He is referring to UNSC Resolution 446, it was adopted in 1979.



Legalities concerning the Wall among other issues are also addressed in an advisory ruling by the ICJ. The anniversary
is coming up soon.

Press Release

9 July 2004

Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall
in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

Advisory Opinion
The Court finds that the construction by Israel of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory and its associated régime are contrary to international law; it states
the legal consequences arising from that illegality

THE HAGUE, 9 July 2004. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), principal judicial organ of the United Nations, has today rendered its Advisory Opinion in the case concerning the Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (request for advisory opinion).

In its Opinion, the Court finds unanimously that it has jurisdiction to give the advisory opinion requested by the United Nations General Assembly and decides by fourteen votes to one to comply with that request.

http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?pr=71&code=mwp&p1=3&p2=4&p3=6&case=131&k=5a