Czech foreign minister criticises Israeli settlement policy

Czech foreign minister Lubomír Zaorálek has condemned Israel’s continued policy of building settlements on land earmarked for the Palestinians. Zaorálek said that by persevering with the policy Israel was torpedoing any chance of meaningful peace talks being revived. Building on land, for example in East Jerusalem, gave the impression that Israel was not serious about restarting talks on the so-called two-state principle, he added. The comments were made ahead of a meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanjahu on Monday. Zaorálek is on a three-day trip to Israel and Palestine which has included a trip to the Gaza Strip. The foreign minister said he was shocked by the devastation following the bombardment and partial occupation by Israeli forces in 2014 and the slow pace of rebuilding. The Czech foreign minister added that sporadic rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip on Israel should cease.

Author: Chris Johnstone