Israel should stop settlement plan

China yesterday joined international condemnation of Israel’s plan to build 1,600 new homes in east Jerusalem and called on the Jewish state to put an end to the settlement project.
“We request the Israeli side to stop the establishment of new Jewish settlements and make concerted efforts and concrete actions to contribute to the resumption of peace talks,” foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.
“This action will damage the basis for the negotiations between the two sides and undermine international mediation efforts.”
Israel’s interior ministry on Tuesday said it had approved the construction of 1,600 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo, a Jewish settlement in the mainly Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem.
The controversial move has infuriated Palestinians, who consider settlements to be a major hurdle to a peace accord, and who want occupied east Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.
Israel’s announcement – made during a visit by US Vice President Joe Biden, sparked swift condemnation from key ally the United States and a number of other countries including Britain, Russia and Turkey.