Britain, France may recall ambassadors from Israel

Britain and France are poised to take action, possibly including the unprecedented step of recalling their ambassadors, in protest at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to move settlement construction ahead in the area known as E1, between Ma’aleh Adumim and Jerusalem, the Israeli daily (Haaretz) quoted European diplomats as saying. "This time it won’t just be a condemnation, there will be real action taken against Israel," a senior European diplomat said. Netanyahu’s decision Friday to move ahead on construction in E1 and to build 3,000 housing units in the settlement blocs east of Jerusalem, has apparently shocked the foreign ministries and the leaders in London and Paris. Not only do Britain and France view construction in E1 as a "red line," they are reportedly angry because they view Israel as having responded ungratefully to the support the two countries gave it during the recent Gaza operation. German and Dutch officials have also warned that they may pull diplomatic support for Israel over the settlement expansion plans.