France condemns Israeli confiscation of West Bank land

PARIS, Sept 1 (KUNA) -- France on Monday condemned a decision by the Israeli government to authorise the confiscation of a large tract of Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank and urged Israel to reverse this decision.
A Foreign Ministry statement here renewed also a call for the Israeli and Palestinian parties to resume peace talks.
"France condemns the decision by the Israeli authorities to confiscate 400 hectares of land situated in the Bethlehem District in favour of the neighbouring (Israeli) settlement of Gvaot," the statement said.
France "calls on these authorities to go back on their decision," the Foreign Ministry said.
Paris has increased the rhetoric these past months in condemning the expansion of Israel's illegal settlements in the West Bank and in Arab East Jerusalem, stressing that these settlements are illegal under international law and a major obstacle to any lasting peace between the two sides. (end) jk.ibi