British Diplomat says expanding Israeli settlements threaten 2-state peace solution

(Vatican Radio) Sir Vincent Fean, the British Consul General in Jerusalem has urged the new Obama administration to take the lead in pushing for a peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians in 2013. Sir Vincent said the matter is “urgent” because of Israeli settlement expansion which he said is developing “at such a pace” and threatens the concept of a two-state solution that is widely supported by the international community. He spoke to Vatican Radio’s Veronica Scarisbrick.

Listen to the extended interview with the British Consul General in Jerusalem Sir Vincent Fean:

Sir Vincent says he believes that a majority of Israelis and Palestinians “want a 2-state solution” and says he “strongly hopes” that the new Obama administration will lead the international community in this endeavour. He went on to warn that the matter is “urgent" because (Israeli) settlement expansion "is developing at such a pace that the prospect of a 2-state solution is endangered.” 2013, he declares, should and can be the year of peace.

Asked about the problematic status of the holy city of Jerusalem, Sir Vincent says Jerusalem “needs to become the shared capital (of the two states) and that “freedom of worship in Jerusalem for all faiths is essential.” He also talks about the situation facing Christians in the Holy Land and says their “dwindling” number “is a matter for concern.”