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France "extremely concerned" by Israeli settlement decision

Xinhua, March 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

France on Wednesday said it was "extremely concerned" by Israel's decision to seize large swaths of land in the West Bank to broaden its settlement blocs, which "would further impede diplomatic efforts to end the deadlock peace process."

Promoting a two-state solution to end the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, France expressed grave concerns over the Israeli plan to appropriate large tracts of land in the occupied West Bank where Palestinians aim to establish their own state, according to Romain Nadal, the foreign ministry spokesman.

"Settlements represent a violation of international law and contradict Israeli authorities' commitments to have a two-state solution," he added.

In a bid to revive peace talks in the Middle East, France is preparing an international gathering before May to end the region's long-standing conflict, according to media reports.

The last round of peace negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian authorities broke down in April 2014. Endit