UK condemns expansion of illegal Israeli settlements
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, Aug 12, IRNA -- British Government has stepped up its criticism of Israel's belligerence with Foreign Secretary William Hague Friday issuing a rare condemnation of its decision to expand illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem.
'I condemn yesterday’s news that the Government of Israel is advancing plans for over 4,000 more East Jerusalem settlement housing units. This comes a week after the approval of over 900 housing units in Har Homa,” Hague said.
“I am concerned that Israel has ignored the international community’s calls for an end to this settlement action,” he said in an official statement.
“At a time when all parties should be striving to return to talks, this announcement undermines trust and – by illegally changing the situation on the ground – threatens the two state solution for which we are working hard. It is deeply disappointing,” his statement said.
The condemnation comes after the British government broke its reluctance to criticise the Zionist regime last week by expressing concern at the latest Israeli killing of Palestinians near Ramallah in the West Bank on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
“I am concerned about the incident which took place in Qalandiya refugee camp in which two Palestinians were killed during an IDF (Israeli Defence Force) operation,” Middle East Minister Alistair Burt said, but without directly naming the perpetrator.
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