French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner stated that coming days are test for Israeli Government, in the course of his meeting with Israeli officials, Israeli Haaretz.com website reports, referring to local media.

“The coming days are a test for the Israeli government, since time is not on the side of both parties,” the source quoted FM. Interestingly, Kouchner arrived in Israel after meeting with the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

However Israel’s recent plans might freeze the initiative on peace process in the Middle East significantly supported by the U.S. government in particular.

Yesterday Israel stated that intends to expand the Gilo settlement in East Jerusalem (Jewish district) in the territory captured in 1967, The New York Times reported yesterday.

The initiative was criticized by official Washington. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs issued a statement, saying that U.S. is “dismayed at the Jerusalem Planning Committee’s decision.” “At a time when we are working to re-launch negotiations, these actions make it more difficult for our efforts to succeed,” the statement available on the White House website reads.