Britain and France are reportedly considering a withdrawal of their ambassadors to Israel in protest at a decision by the government of Benjamin Netanyahu to expand construction in Israeli settlements. An unnamed diplomatic source told 'Reuters' on Monday that London was considering such a protest, while Israel's 'Haaretz' newspaper reported that France was also considering withdrawing its envoy in Tel Aviv.
Both embassies declined to comment on the reports, but the British issued a statement saying they had made clear they would not support strong Israeli retaliation to a UN vote last week that gave the Palestinians de facto recognition of statehood. "The recent Israeli government decision to build 3,000 new housing units threatens the two-state solution and makes progress through negotiations harder to achieve," the British embassy in Tel Aviv said. "We have called on the Israeli government to reconsider."
A decision on the withdrawal of the British ambassador was due later on Monday, the source told 'Reuters'. Such a move by both London and Paris would represent a severe diplomatic reproach to Netanyahu. Israel's Vice Prime Minister Moshe Yaalon told 'Army Radio' that he was not aware of any recall. "I did not hear of this, either via the Foreign Ministry or the Prime Minister's Office. Therefore, I have a hard time believing it is true," he said.
Netanyahu has brushed off world condemnation of his latest settlement plans, which were announced on Friday just hours after the United Nations voted overwhelming to upgrade the Palestinians' diplomatic status. "We will carry on building in Jerusalem and in all the places that are on the map of Israel's strategic interests," Netanyahu said on Sunday at a meeting of the Israeli Cabinet.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon expressed "grave concern and disappointment" over the building plans, which he said could "completely" cut off east Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank. "Settlements are illegal under international law and, should the E-1 settlement be constructed, it would represent an almost fatal blow to remaining chances of securing a two-state solution," Ban said.
Besides authorizing the construction of 3,000 new homes in and around Jerusalem, the Israeli government also agreed to expedite planning work for thousands more homes on barren land near Jerusalem that critics say would kill off Palestinian hopes of creating a viable state.
Israel also announced on Sunday that it was withholding Palestinian tax revenues this month worth about US$ 100 million. Jerusalem said it was taking the money to help cover a Palestinian debt of US$ 200 million with the Israeli Electric Corporation.
