Norway urges Israel to revoke approval of new 238 new homes in East Jerusalem
Historical archive
Published under: Stoltenberg's 2nd Government
Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press release | Date: 19/10/2010 | Last updated: 20/10/2010
On 15 October, the Israeli authorities announced that they had approved plans for the construction of 238 new homes in two Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem. The decision has come at a critical point in the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
On 15 October, the Israeli authorities announced that they had approved plans for the construction of 238 new homes in two Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem. The decision has come at a critical point in the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
“I urge Israel to revoke the decision to build new homes in East Jerusalem,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. “Israel’s construction activities in the occupied territories are among the greatest threats to the peace talks.”
The US-led peace talks between Israel and the PLO have come to a halt after Israel on 26 September decided not to extend its freeze on the construction of settlements in the occupied territories. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has demanded that the construction of settlements be halted in order for the negotiations to continue.
“Like the UN Security Council, Norway considers Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem to be illegal. It is unacceptable that the Israeli Government is undermining the possibility of a two-state solution in this way,” said Mr Støre.