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Theresa May criticises Obama administration's Israeli stance

Prime Minister Theresa May has distanced herself from US President Barack Obama's stance on Israel and condemned the attack by his secretary of state on the Israeli government.

Downing Street said it was "not appropriate" for John Kerry to brand Benjamin Netanyahu's administration as the "most right wing in history", which saw him accused of bias by the Israeli prime minister.

Kerry made the claim while accusing Netanyahu's government of undermining attempts at a two-state solution to the conflict with the Palestinians by building settlements in the West Bank.

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UN votes to stop Israel building on occupied territory

A construction site, pictured on the Israeli settlement of Givat Zeev, in the occupied West Bank. Credit: Reuters

The UN Security Council has passed a resolution demanding Israel stop building settlements on occupied Palestinian territory.

The resolution was put forward at the 15-member council by New Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela and Senegal.

Egypt withdrew from voting on Thursday after coming under pressure from Israel.

The US abstained after Donald Trump called on the country to veto the measure.

The motion was adopted with 14 votes in favour to a round of applause.

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