Minister sets out 'concerns' over Israeli settlement plans

Speaking after summoning the Israeli Ambassador to the UK to the Foreign Office, Minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, said Daniel Taub had been asked to attend following the Israeli decision to build 3,000 new houses in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Mr Burt added: "I set out the depth of the UK’s concern about these decisions and I called on the Israeli government to reverse them. The settlements plan in particular has the potential to alter the situation on the ground on a scale that threatens the viability of a two state solution.

“I also made clear the strength of our reaction stems from our disappointment that the Israeli Government has not heeded the calls we and others had made for Israel to avoid reacting to the UN General Assembly resolution in a way that undermines the Palestinian Authority or a return to talks.”