Britain irked by new Jewish settlements in Palestinian territories

British minister for Middle East affairs Tobias Ellwood has expressed concern over Israel's decision to construct 770 settlement units between Al Quds (occupied East Jerusalem) and Bethlehem.

In a statement released by the Dubai-based regional media office of the British government, he said any illegal decision in that regard would undermine the chances of the two-state solution.

He warned that such a decision would affect negatively the presence of the Palestinian Christian minority which has been already affected by the separation wall Israel had built on Palestinian territories.

Days ago, the Israeli-controlled Municipal Planning and Construction Committee in Jerusalem had floated plans for the new settlement units as part of a project for 1,200 units in occupied East Jerusalem

The area, in which the settlements will be built, is located in the center of the illegal Gilo settlement in East Jerusalem and Beit Jala neighborhood, which is adjacent to Bethlehem.

Some Israeli media reports said the excavations and preparation works for the new housing units have already begun.

Source: MENA