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Israel's ambassador to Paris Daniel Shek (picture) was called to the foreign ministry in Paris on Thursday, where he was told France wants "an immediate freeze on settlement activities, including in east Jerusalem."
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PARIS (AFP-EJP)---The umbrella group for France’s Jewish organizations said it regrets the French government's decision to summon the Israeli ambassador in Paris to demand a freeze of Israeli settlement building in east Jerusalem.
Israel's ambassador Daniel Shek was called to the foreign ministry in Paris on Thursday, where he was told France wants "an immediate freeze on settlement activities, including in east Jerusalem."
In a statement, the French Representative Council of Jewish Institutions (CRIF) said it "regrets the summoning to the French foreign ministry of Daniel Shek, Israeli ambassador, over questions relating to construction in the city of Jerusalem."
The CRIF stressed "its attachment to the city of Jerusalem as the historic capital of the state of Israel, where all freedoms, including of housing, are respected."
The Israeli foreign ministry rejected the French call to freeze Jewish settlement building, saying a solution to the settlements can only be reached through a comprehensive and final peace agreement with the Palestinians.
Earlier this week, the European Union's current Swedish presidency warned Israel against any provocative" action in east Jerusalem.
In a statement, the EU presidency urged Israel to refrain from provocative actions in East Jerusalem, including home demolitions and evictions, as stated also by the Quartet 26 June 2009."
"Such actions are illegal under international law," it added.