Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, TD on Israeli announcement of Construction of 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem

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Department of Foreign Affairs                Press Release

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Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, TD on Israeli announcement of Construction of 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem

I very much join with High Representative Ashton and other EU colleagues in condemning yesterday’s decision by the Israeli authorities to proceed with the construction of 1,600 new housing units in East Jerusalem.

The announcement, along with that made earlier this week regarding construction of 112 new homes in a West Bank settlement, seriously calls into question Israel’s commitment to achieve progress in the proximity talks which have just been announced. I would very much urge the Israeli authorities to reverse the decision which, if proceeded with, will only further undermine confidence that the political progress so urgently required in the Middle East can be achieved in the coming weeks and months.

As has been stated many times before, settlements are illegal under international law. Israel must start to fulfil all its commitments and obligations relating to the peace process and refrain from unilateral and provocative actions of this kind which only jeopardize the final status negotiations and the realisation of a two-state solution.

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Press Office

10 March 2010