Thursday, August 18, 2011

Quartet alarmed by Israel's settlement plans

Mediating group says it is 'greatly concerned' by recent announcement to advance planning for new housing units.
Israel approves the building of almost 300 new homes in Ariel, inside the occupied West Bank

The Middle East Quartet, consisting of the US, Russia, the EU and the UN, has expressed concern over Israel's move to build 277 houses in the occupied West Bank and 900 houses in occupied East Jerusalem.

"The Quartet is greatly concerned by Israel's recent announcements to advance planning for new housing units in Ariel and east Jerusalem," the the mediating group said in a statement on Tuesday.

"This comes at a critical juncture with Quartet efforts ongoing to resume negotiations which are the only way to a just and durable solution to the conflict," the statement said.

The statement came amid intense efforts by Tony Blair, the Quartet's special envoy, to get Palestinians and Israelis back into direct talks.

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1 comment:

  1. Oo-er! Tut-tut! Oh alright, Israel, carry on.

    ReplyDelete