LONDON: The United Kingdom (UK) has condemned Israel’s announcement to move forward with construction of 1,077 housing units in Givat Hamatos, southern Jerusalem, urging Israel to reverse the decision.

According to the sources of APP, In a statement, Foreign & Commonwealth Office and James Cleverly MP ,UK Minister for the Middle East and North Africa said “The UK condemns Israel’s announcement to move forward with the construction of 1,077 housing units in Givat Hamatos, in southern Jerusalem. This follows the announcement on 20th February to advance 2,200 units in the existing settlement of Har Homa”.

James Cleverly further said that settlement construction in these highly sensitive areas undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state with its capital
in East Jerusalem.

“The UK’s position on Israeli settlements is clear: they are illegal under international law and damaging to renewed efforts to launch peace negotiations. We urge Israel to reverse this decision immediately”, he said.

"Nearly 300 civilians have been killed in Idlib and Aleppo since the first of January this year. The UN Humanitarian Rights Office has confirmed that 93% of those deaths were caused by the regime and its allies."@JamesCleverly replies to urgent question on Syria pic.twitter.com/jfkBG9qT9c

— Foreign Office 🇬🇧 (@foreignoffice) February 24, 2020

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On Saturday, the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that Israel was endangering the prospect of a two-state solution with Palestine with its plan to expand the settlements.

France, Germany, Ireland and Italy also put out individual statements condemning the plan.

France’s statement urged Israeli officials to reconsider decisions and “to refrain from unilateral measures”.

It also said Jerusalem should be recognised as both the Israeli and Palestinian capital.

Delighted to meet journalists from across the Middle East and North Africa. The UK recognises importance of journalism in the region and values our friendships across the region #المنبر_البريطاني_للمؤثرين_العرب pic.twitter.com/DVb3F1oYRG

— James Cleverly (@JamesCleverly) February 25, 2020