Britain has condemned Israel’s plans to build nearly 2,000 new settlement housing units across the occupied West Bank.
An anti-settlement watchdog Peace Now said on Monday that nearly 800 homes received the final approvals needed for construction to begin, adding that initial approvals were given to 1,150 more.
258 of the 786 approved homes are due to be built in Haresha, an "illegal outpost" west of the city of Ramallah, the watchdog said.
Peace Now said some 89 per cent of these planned new builds will appear in settlements that Israel may have to forfeit under a future peace agreement with the Palestinians.
Commenting on the planned construction, Andrew Murrison, Britain’s minister for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “The UK condemns the Israeli government’s advancement of yet more plans for over 1,900 housing units across the West Bank.
“It is the UK’s longstanding position that settlements are illegal under international law and undermine the viability of the two-state solution.
“We call on Israel to halt settlement expansion immediately," he added.
The building of settlements has surged under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is fighting to stay in power after being indicted on charges of bribery and fraud at the end of last year.
Mr Netanyahu has on several occasions pledged to annex Jewish settlements in the Israel-occupied West Bank if he wins the next election. However, two general elections last year ended in a stalemate between his Likud party and Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party. A third election is slated for March 2 this year.
The UK’s Prince of Wales is set to visit the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the first time ever in late January.
On a trip which will take in an appearance at the World Economic Forum's Davos conference before moving on to Charles' first official trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories, he will meet Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.
MATCH DETAILS
Chelsea 4
Jorginho (4 pen, 71 pen), Azpilicueta (63), James (74)
Ajax 4
Abraham (2 og), Promes (20). Kepa (35 og), van de Beek (55)
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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South Africa World Cup squad
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (w), JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen.
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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RACE SCHEDULE
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm
Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm
Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm
Scoreline
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 17
Jebel Ali Dragons 20
Harlequins Tries: Kinivilliame, Stevenson; Cons: Stevenson 2; Pen: Stevenson
Dragons Tries: Naisau, Fourie; Cons: Love 2; Pens: Love 2
The Rub of Time: Bellow, Nabokov, Hitchens, Travolta, Trump and Other Pieces 1986-2016
Martin Amis,
Jonathan Cape
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900