Press release

FCO Minister condemns Israeli settlement plans

Hugh Robertson condemns plans for 2,372 settlement units in West Bank and emphasises need for just and lasting settlement.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Hugh Robertson
• Published: 21 March 2014

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

Commenting on decisions taken by the Government of Israel on 19 March to advance plans for 2,372 new settlement units in the West Bank, Minister for the Middle East Hugh Robertson, said:

I condemn the decisions taken by the Israeli authorities to advance a number of settlement plans in the occupied West Bank. The UK’s position on settlements is longstanding: they are illegal under international law, undermine trust and threaten the viability of the two-state solution.

Nothing must detract from international efforts to secure a lasting, just and final settlement to the conflict.

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Published 21 March 2014