PARIS, April 24, 2012 (WAFA) – The French government Tuesday condemned Israeli legalization of three settlement outposts and the destruction of water cisterns in the West Bank, according to two separate French Foreign Ministry statements.

“France condemns this declared legalization, which sends a very negative signal contrary to the interests of peace in the region,” said one statement.

It said that since France considers all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal and an obstacle to peace, Israel has an obligation to dismantle all the settlement outposts as called for in the road map of the Middle East peace quartet.

France also condemned the Israeli destruction of two French-financed water cisterns on Monday in the Hebron area that were supposed to be used for the development of the Palestinian communities in the area.

It called on Israel to stop the destruction of vital Palestinian projects in Area C of the West Bank, which is under full Israeli control, but considered by the French government as important for the development of the future Palestinian state.

The statement said the French government will raise this complaint with the Israeli embassy in Paris as well as with officials in Israel.

M.S.