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PARIS, Jan 25 (KUNA) -- France on Wednesday condemned the arrest by Israel
of two Hamas officials in Jerusalem, one of them a parliamentarian, in what
appears to be a widespread campaign against Hamas elected officials, including
the President of the Palestinian Parliament, Aziz Dweik, who was detained five
days ago.
"France condemns the arrest by Israeli police in the International Red
Cross building in East Jerusalem of two Palestinian political leaders, members
of Hamas, one of them an elected official," the French Foreign Ministry said.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said in a statement that France
"recalls that international humanitarian law applies to East Jerusalem,
considered by the international community as an occupied territory and,
consequently, the Palestinians there are protected by the Fourth Geneva
Convention of 12 August 1949."
The French official said his government is worried by the Israeli
operations against elected, Palestinian officials. There are more than two
dozen elected Palestinians being held by Israel at this time.
"France is concerned by the detention of several members of the Palestinian
Legislative Council, some without judgment," Valero indicated.
He stated that France "supports the reconciliation efforts" of the
Palestinian leadership and "regrets the recent arrests of parliamentarians and
leaders of Hamas in the West Bank."
Israel, opposed to any reconciliation, has stepped up pressure to halt the
process by withholding taxes and customs duties to the Palestinian Authority
and now through a campaign of arrests against Hamas. (end)
jk.hs
KUNA 251600 Jan 12NNNN