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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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Palestinian PM 'ready to resume Israel talks'

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he is ready to resume talks Credit: Reuters

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said he is ready to resume peace talks with Israel - if the country halts settlement construction.

On Wednesday, Abbas said he would be prepared to resume talks "within a specific time frame and on the basis of international law."

His comments came after a speech by US Secretary of State John Kerry, outlining America's rationale behind a decision not to veto a UN resolution demanding further Israeli settlement building be halted.

The speech was earlier described by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu as a "great disappointment".

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