Islam Times - UK,US rap Israel's ‘provocative’ settlement plans

Islam Times - British Foreign Secretary William Hague and US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland have condemned the Zionist regime’s plans to construct more illegal housing units in the occupied East al-Quds (Jerusalem) and the West Bank.

The two countries’ officials attacked Israel’s plans to build illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and called the move as a “provocation” which could put the peace process at risk.

"We urge Israel to reverse this decision and take no further steps aimed at expanding or entrenching settlement activity,” Hague said.

In a separate statement, Nuland also said, “We are deeply disappointed that Israel insists on continuing this pattern of provocative action.”

Hague had warned earlier that the illegal construction of 3,000 more settler units “undermined Israel's international reputation”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the new settlement plans only days after Palestinians succeeded to win a historic vote at the UN general assembly to upgrade the status of Palestine.