LONDON, December 10, 2016 (WAFA) - British Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood Friday expressed his “extreme concern” over Israeli plans for further expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank, according to a statement by the Foreign Office.

“I’m extremely concerned that the Knesset [the Israeli parliament] has passed the first reading of a bill which would expropriate privately owned Palestinian land and pave the way for a significant further expansion of settlements in the West Bank,” he said.

“This would be illegal under international law, and once again calls into question the Israeli government’s commitment to a two state solution.”

Tobias expressed concern that settlement planning around Jerusalem has continued and increased in pace, with 770 units in Gilo receiving final approval on December 7.

M.K.