France condemns the fact that the Israeli authorities have issued calls for tender for the construction of 1,285 homes in the settlements of Pisgat Zeev and Ramot in East Jerusalem and Ariel in the West Bank.

France reaffirms its very grave concern at the provocative announcements and notices in an already tense situation. Israeli settlement activity – in all its forms – is illegal under international law. It is detrimental to efforts to restore trust between the parties and constitutes an obstacle to a just peace based on the two-state solution.

As President Hollande reaffirmed during his meeting with Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu on October 31, settlement activity must cease.