France expresses concern at Israel’s annexation of more Palestinian land

Published March 16th, 2016 - 01:12 GMT
The West Bank settlement of Efrat is seen on September 1, 2014. Settlements are colonies built on stolen Palestinian land and are considered illegal under international law. (AFP/File)
The West Bank settlement of Efrat is seen on September 1, 2014. Settlements are colonies built on stolen Palestinian land and are considered illegal under international law. (AFP/File)

The French Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that is it concerned by Israel's annexation of large tracts of land located in the West Bank, denouncing it as a violation of international law and contradicting a two-state solution.

"France is extremely concerned by the decision of Israeli authorities to appropriate for Israeli settlements ... territory in the West Bank," Foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said in a daily briefing.

"Settlements constitute a violation of international law and contradict commitments made by Israeli authorities in favor of a two-state solution."

Paris has been pushing for an international peace conference to take place before May. The talks would present incentives and guarantees for both Palestinians and Israelis to encourage a resumption of face-to-face talks before August in an attempt to resolve the decades-long conflict.

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