Four U.N. members to condemn Israeli plan

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Four European members of the U.N. Security Council say a joint condemnation of Israel's plan to build settlements in East Jerusalem is being prepared.

The statement, expected this week from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Portugal, follows criticism by the United States of the planned expansion of construction in the Ramat Shlomo area -- which would make a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as a shared capital between Israel and the new Palestine, difficult to achieve -- the British newspaper The Guardian said Wednesday.

"Plans of new construction run counter to the cause of peace. Israel's leaders continually say they support a path towards a two-state solution, yet these actions only put that goal further at risk," said U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.

The U.N. General Assembly, in a non-binding resolution Tuesday, condemned Israel's plans by a vote of 196 to six.