LATEST NEWS AND STATEMENTS

• Israel/ Palestinian Territories – Settlement activity (10.05.13)

  France condemns the Israeli government’s approval of the program to build 296 new homes in the settlement of Beit El in the West Bank.

• Firing of rockets on southern Israel (19.04.13)

  France strongly condemns the firing of rockets in recent days against the population of southern Israel. It calls for the respect of the ceasefire agreed upon at the end of November.

• Palestinian Territories – Resignation of Mr. Salam Fayyad (Q&A - Excerpt from the daily press briefing - 15.04.13)

  "At a time when efforts to relaunch the peace process are being stepped up, France would like the Palestinians to find ways to resolve their internal differences and to give priority to the path toward stability and unity. "

• Gaza - Attacks on UNRWA headquarters (08.04.13)

  France condemns the unacceptable attacks on the headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza.

• Firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel (21.03.13)

  France condemns the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel today. It reaffirms its attachment to the observance of the ceasefire agreement reached at the end of November.

• Israel – Formation of a new government (19.03.13)

  We expect the new government to make the restoration of a climate of trust with the Palestinian Authority and the resumption of the peace process a priority in order to achieve a two-State solution as swiftly as possible.

• Israel – Situation of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike (18.02.13)

  For humanitarian reasons, we call on the Israeli authorities to be sensitive to the risk of a tragic outcome and to take the appropriate measures as a matter of urgency. Several times, both nationally and with our European partners, we have called on the Israeli authorities to respect their international obligations vis-à-vis Palestinian prisoners. We are continuing to do so.

• Israel – Settlement activity (14.02.13)

  France condemns the Israeli government’s decision to approve the construction of 90 new homes in the settlement of Beit El, as well as the planning of 346 housing units initiated in settlements to the south of Bethlehem.

• Israeli – Construction of new homes in the West Bank (16.01.13)

  France condemns the issuing by the Israeli government of invitations to tender for the construction of 198 new homes in two settlements in the southern West Bank.

• Israel – Settlement activity (27.12.12)

  France condemns the Israeli authorities’ approval, on December 24, of the expansion of the Gilo settlement in East Jerusalem.

• Israel – New settlement project (20.12.12)

  France strongly condemns the Israeli authorities’ approval yesterday of the so-called “Givat Hamatos A” settlement project comprising 2,610 new homes.

• Israel/ Palestinian Territories - Settlements (Q&A - Excerpt from the daily press briefing - 12.12.12)

  We urge Israel not to implement these illegal projects which pose a threat to the two-state solution.

• Israel/ Palestinian Territories (Q&A - Excerpt from the daily press briefing - 04.12.12)

  "What matters today is the resumption of negotiations. We call on both parties to resume them and we call on them to refrain from any decision that could jeopardize these negotiations. "

• Summoning of the Israeli ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (03.12.12)

  The minister’s cabinet director summoned the Israeli ambassador in Paris today. In line with the minister’s statement on December 1, he expressed to him France’s very serious concern following the Israeli government’s decision to authorize the construction of 3,000 settlement homes. This decision relaunches the settlement planning process in the so-called E1 area in the West Bank, to the east of Jerusalem.

• Recognition of Palestine as non-member state observer at the UN (29.11.12)

  "By voting today to recognize Palestine as a non-member observer state within this organization, France has voted for the two-State solution – two States for two peoples, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security within secure and internationally recognized borders; a solution it advocated before the rest of the international community came on board; a solution that is now jeopardized by the deadlock in the peace process."

• Palestinian territories – Reply given by Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to a question in the National Assembly (27.11.12)

  "On Thursday or Friday, when the question is asked, France will vote yes, out of a concern for consistency."

• Israel – Gaza – Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Spokesperson (21.11.12)

  While the safety of journalists was endangered by last night’s explosions in Gaza, France reaffirms its attachment to the freedom of the press and the protection of journalists.

• Israel – Attack in Tel Aviv – Statement by Laurent Fabius (21.11.12)

  "I utterly condemn the attack that has just taken place in Tel Aviv, targeting civilians just at a time when everything must be done to achieve a ceasefire."

• Israel - SItuation in Gaza (Q&A - Excerpt from the daily press briefing - 16.11.12)

  France has issued very clear statements about the situation in Gaza, notably through Laurent Fabius yesterday. These statements express - to echo what the minister said – our grave concern regarding the deterioration in the situation and also urge the parties to demonstrate restraint and calm and to refrain from any escalation of violence.

• Israel - Gaza (14.11.12)

  France is extremely concerned at the deterioration in the situation in Gaza and in southern Israel.

  It urges the parties to refrain from any escalation of violence, for which the Israeli and Palestinian civilian populations would inevitably pay the price.

• Israel/ Gaza – Rising tensions (12.11.12)

  France strongly deplores the renewed escalation of violence in Gaza.

  It strongly condemns the firing of rockets from Gaza targeting the population of southern Israel.

• Visit by Benjamin Netanyahu to France (31.10-01.11.12)

  These meetings will notably focus on the prospects for strengthening bilateral relations, the need to relaunch the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and political developments in the region.

• Israel - Acceleration of settlement activities in East Jerusalem and the West Bank (24.10.12)

  France reaffirms that Israeli settlement activity – in all its forms – is illegal under international law, is detrimental to efforts to restore trust between the parties and constitutes an obstacle to a just peace based on the two-state solution.

• Upsurge in violence in Gaza (24.10.12)

  It urges the parties to ensure a return to calm and to demonstrate restraint in order to avoid an escalation that could once again affect civilians.

• Israel - Construction of new homes in the Gilo settlement of East Jerusalem (19.10.12)

  France stresses that the Israeli settlement program, in all its forms, is illegal under international law, undermines trust-building between the parties, and constitutes an obstacle to a just peace based on the two-state solution.

• Payment of €200,000 by France for the restoration of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (18.10.12)

  On October 17 in Ramallah, the Consul General of France in Jerusalem, Frédéric Desagneaux, signed, together with President Abbas’s adviser on Christian affairs, Ziad Al-Bandak, a budgetary aid agreement under which France will contribute €200,000 to the restoration of the Church of the Nativity. To that end, the Palestinian Authority has also created a fund in which it has invested $1 million.

  This contribution will be used to finance the restoration of the roof of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in June. It reflects France’s desire to support the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to preserve Palestinian and world historical heritage.

  It also reflects the French Republic’s special historical responsibility with respect to Christian churches and communities in the Holy Land.

• Vandalism of the Saint George Church in Jerusalem (10.10.12)

  France strongly condemns these acts and expresses its solidarity with the Christian communities that have been targeted. We are particularly concerned by the steady upsurge in vandalism and acts of intolerance against religious structures.

• Situation of the Palestinian detainees on hunger strike (Q&A - Excerpt from the daily press briefing - 19.09.12)

  We’re concerned by the situation of the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike, some of whom in administrative detention are in critical condition. For humanitarian reasons, we call on the Israeli authorities to take appropriate action as a matter of urgency.

• Israel - New university in the settlement of Ariel in the West Bank (Q&A - Excerpt from the daily press briefing - 12.09.12)

  This measure, like all those aimed at perpetuating and legitimizing settlement activities in the Palestinian Territories, can only serve to further undermine trust between the parties. We therefore call on Israel to swiftly reverse this decision.

• 4th session of the Franco-Israeli strategic dialogue (06.09.12)

  This strategic dialogue takes place every year and allows France and Israel to examine all topics of common interest. It bears witness to the close and trusting relationship between our two countries.

• Latrun Abbey – Act of vandalism (04.09.12)

  France strongly condemns this act of vandalism directed at a place of worship and peace. It expresses its wholehearted solidarity with the community of monks. The Cistercian Abbey of Latrun is a religious community protected by France under the so-called Chauvel-Fischer agreements concluded with the State of Israel.

• Signing of agreements between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority on the collection of taxes and duties levied by Israel (02.08.12)

  France welcomes the signing of agreements between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority whose implementation will make it possible to collect taxes and duties levied by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, thereby increasing its budgetary resources.

• Meeting between Mr. Laurent Fabius and his Israeli counterpart, Mr. Avigdor Lieberman, on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels (23.07.12)

  This meeting will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the French authorities’ solidarity following the attacks that targeted Israeli tourists in Bulgaria, to review Franco-Israeli bilateral relations and to discuss various regional issues.

• Increase in tensions in Gaza and southern Israel (18.06.12)

  France is extremely concerned by the violence that has taken place in recent days in Gaza and southern Israel. It strongly condemns the firing of rockets on Israeli territory, as well as the terrorist attack which killed an Israeli civilian.

• Israel – Announcement of new settlement activity (07.06.12)

  We urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from implementing these announcements. We reaffirm that settlement activity is illegal under international law, undermines, on the ground, the foundations of the two-State solution and constitutes an obstacle to peace.

• Meeting between Laurent Fabius and Yaakov Amidror, head of Israel’s National Security Council (06.06.12))

  The minister notably stressed to Mr. Amidror France’s commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its unswerving determination with respect to the Iranian nuclear issue – issues regarding which we are engaged in continuous dialogue with Israel.

• Visit to Paris by the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas (07-08.06.12)

  This visit, which is the first by a Palestinian leader since the start of the five-year term of office, will provide an opportunity for France to affirm its commitment to just and lasting peace in the Middle East, requiring the establishment of a viable and sovereign Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel.

• Conclusion of an agreement between the Israeli authorities and the representatives of Palestinian prisoners in Israel (15.05.12)

  We welcome the planned measures, notably those aimed at improving the detention conditions of the Palestinian prisoners, which respond to a long-standing demand on the part of President Abbas.

• Firing of rockets on southern Israel (10.05.12)

  These rocket attacks are unacceptable. France calls for the respect of the ceasefire around Gaza, in accordance with UNSCR 1860, as well as for the utmost restraint in order to avoid any risk of escalation.

• Situation of the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israel (09.05.12)

  We’re extremely concerned by the rapidly deteriorating health of several Palestinian prisoners who have gone on hunger strike in Israel. For humanitarian reasons, we urge the Israeli authorities to be sensitive to the risk of a tragic outcome and to take appropriate action as a matter of urgency.