Israeli government’s decision to declare a 10-month moratorium on new settlement building (November 26, 2009)
Statement by Bernard Kouchner
I welcome the Israeli government’s decision to declare a 10-month moratorium on new settlement building and the issue of new building permits on the West Bank. This decision is a step in the right direction and its implementation would be a positive contribution to peace.
This decision is consistent with the spirit of the meetings I had during my visit to Israel last week, during which I insisted on the need for movement from Israel on the settlement issue to encourage the resumption of the negotiations.
Indeed, like the whole international community, France deems settlement activity in the Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, an obstacle to peace.
I hope these measures will contribute to an immediate reactivation of the peace negotiations, the only way rapidly to achieve the creation of a viable Palestinian State, living in peace and security alongside Israel.
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