(By RFI)French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has said that the peace process in the Middle East cannot continue without Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. He also condemned Israel’s decision to approve 900 new housing units in east Jerusalem. "We want to stress that president Abbas is indispensable and the peace process can't go without him," Kouchner told a news conference in Amman with senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, after a meeting with Abbas.
"I came to offer France's support for president Abbas and to say we are determined to go ahead with the peace process."
Abbas said last week that he was considering resigning as president after Israel failed to freeze settlement activity in east Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank, which the Jewish state captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
Kouchner called for the creation of a democratic Palestinian state.
"Peace talks should continue, leading to the establishment of a democratic Palestinian state that lives in peace with Israel, while ensuring Israel's security," he said.
On Wednesday, Kouchner travelled to Israel for meetings with several senior officials including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Before the meetings he condemned Israel’s plans to build more homes in east Jerusalem.
"It is a decision that we regret. We have to restart with the political discussions," he said.
Israel, however, defended its decision to build in Gilo - one of a dozen Jewish settlements that the Palestinians want to make their capital if and when they have a nation of their own.
"Freezing construction in Gilo is just like freezing construction... in any other neighbourhood in Jerusalem and Israel," Interior Minister Eli Yishai, whose ministry issued the approval on Tuesday, told AFP.
"Construction in Jerusalem cannot be halted and Gilo is in Jerusalem."
The United Nations and the United States have also condemned Israel’s building programme in east Jerusalem.
"I came to offer France's support for president Abbas and to say we are determined to go ahead with the peace process."
Abbas said last week that he was considering resigning as president after Israel failed to freeze settlement activity in east Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank, which the Jewish state captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
Kouchner called for the creation of a democratic Palestinian state.
"Peace talks should continue, leading to the establishment of a democratic Palestinian state that lives in peace with Israel, while ensuring Israel's security," he said.
On Wednesday, Kouchner travelled to Israel for meetings with several senior officials including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Before the meetings he condemned Israel’s plans to build more homes in east Jerusalem.
"It is a decision that we regret. We have to restart with the political discussions," he said.
Israel, however, defended its decision to build in Gilo - one of a dozen Jewish settlements that the Palestinians want to make their capital if and when they have a nation of their own.
"Freezing construction in Gilo is just like freezing construction... in any other neighbourhood in Jerusalem and Israel," Interior Minister Eli Yishai, whose ministry issued the approval on Tuesday, told AFP.
"Construction in Jerusalem cannot be halted and Gilo is in Jerusalem."
The United Nations and the United States have also condemned Israel’s building programme in east Jerusalem.
