Press release

Minister for the Middle East statement on settlements in the West Bank

Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood extremely concerned by plans for further expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Tobias Ellwood MP
• Published: 8 December 2016

Foreign Office minister, Tobias Ellwood, said:

I’m extremely concerned that the Knesset has passed the first reading of a bill which would expropriate privately owned Palestinian land and pave the way for a significant further expansion of settlements in the West Bank. This would be illegal under international law, and once again calls into question the Israeli government’s commitment to a two state solution.

I am also concerned that settlement planning around Jerusalem has continued and increased in pace, with 770 units in Gilo receiving final approval on 7 December.

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Published 8 December 2016