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Foreign Secretary condemns Israel’s announcement on settlement expansion

Foreign Secretary William Hague: "Settlement expansion is illegal under international law, corrodes trust and undermines the basic principle of land for peace."

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Commenting on today’s announcement by the Government of Israel on settlement advancement, the Foreign Secretary said:

“I condemn today’s news that the Government of Israel is advancing plans for 780 new settlement housing units, with an option of an additional 600 units in the East Jerusalem settlement of Mordot Gilo. This is a time when all parties should be striving to return to talks and responding to the Quartet statement call to refrain from provocative actions. Settlement expansion is illegal under international law, corrodes trust and undermines the basic principle of land for peace. We call on the Government of Israel to revoke this decision.”

Published 27 September 2011