France summons Israeli envoy over east J'lem construction
Jul. 23, 2009
ap and jpost.com staff , THE JERUSALEM POST
France's Foreign Ministry has questioned Israel's ambassador and demanded an immediate end to settlement construction.
French Foreign Ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier said Thursday that Israeli Ambassador Daniel Shek met with the ministry's political director on Thursday.
"An immediate freeze in settlements, including in east Jerusalem, is indispensable for preserving the two-state solution and allowing the resumption of negotiations," Chevallier said. He said Shek was also told that "Israel should open checkpoints regularly to allow the reconstruction of Gaza."
The French ministry also expressed concern over difficulties French diplomats have experienced in getting around the West Bank because of security measures imposed by the IDF.
Last week, the new Israeli Ambassador to the US Michael Oren went to the State Department for routine talks, during which his American interlocutors raised their concern about plans approved last month by the Jerusalem Municipality for 20 apartments to be built at the site of the historic Shepherd Hotel in east Jerusalem, bought in 1985 by US bingo magnate Irving Moskowitz.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, responding to the reports that Washington had asked Israel not to build the apartments in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, near Mount Scopus and the National Police headquarters, said, "I would like to reemphasize that united Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish people and of the State of Israel. Our sovereignty over it cannot be challenged; this means - inter alia - that residents of Jerusalem may purchase apartments in all parts of the city."
Herb Keinon contributed to this report
Comment: Nice political move-I posted the story as it demonstrates the absurdity of a Western government's behavior. Open Gaza-is France demanding the same from Egypt-NO!! Notice how conveniently this "official" did not share the daily news of goods traveling into Gaza through Israeli entries. Notice how you are not told that hundreds of ill Gazans are permitted into Israel to receive medical attention. You have not heard this from Egypt side have you?
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