LOC17:36
14:36 GMT
KUN0062 4 GEN 0162 KUWAIT /KUNA-NPX7
POL-NORWAY-ISRAEL-SETTLEMENTS
Norway criticizes Israeli expansion on the West Bank
HELSINKI, Aug 18 (KUNA) -- The Israeli plans for building 1000 new homes on
the occupied West Bank are in conflict with the Roadmap for Peace, Norway's
Foreign Minister Jan Petersen said on Wednesday.
A statement by the Norwegian Foreign Ministry quoted Petersen as saying
that the situation is very serious, and will take the matter up with the
Israeli authorities.
Meanwhile, the leader of the parliamentary Foreign Policy Committee,
Thorbjoern Jagland, has also criticized the Israeli plans, adding that the US
must now stop the monetary support of Israel.
"This is completely unacceptable and must be condemned by all because it is
in conflict with International Law. It is also in conflict with the Roadmap
for Peace, which has been agreed to by the UN, EU, US and Russia, and which
has also been accepted by Israel," Jagland told local media here. (end)
afs.bk
KUNA 181736 Aug 04NNNN