Australia joins Britain and France to summon Israel envoy over settlements

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia on Tuesday joined Britain and France in summoning the Israeli ambassador to convey its "grave concern" over plans to build new settlements in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr said the Israeli proposal, and plans to withhold tax revenue from the Palestinian Authority, "enormously complicate the prospects for resuming negotiations between the two sides".

"Australia has long opposed all settlement activity," he added.

"Such activity threatens the viability of a two-state solution without which there will never be security in Israel."

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