London says the expansion of illegal settlements is threatening peace, security and the prospects for the creation of a viable Palestinian state.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain summoned Israel's charge d'affaires after the Israeli government announced a tender for a major settlement project in the E1 area of the occupied West Bank, calling the move "unacceptable and destructive."
"The E1 runs through the heart of Palestine and risks separating the West Bank from occupied East Jerusalem, which would jeopardise the viability of a two-state solution," Miliband said in a statement.
"Britain has been clear, both privately and publicly, in its opposition to E1 and in its support for a two-state solution as the only way to guarantee long-term security and peace for both Palestinians and Israelis. All settlements undermine this prospect and constitute a flagrant violation of international law," he added.
The Israeli government violated its previous commitment regarding the controversial E1 settlement project in occupied East Jerusalem, announcing a tender for 1,234 housing units in the settlements, without notifying those who had opposed the project in court and as part of the government's efforts to end any chance of a Palestinian state.
Plans to build in the area designated as E1 in east Jerusalem have long been internationally condemned, along with illegal settlements under international law. The project divides the West Bank into two parts and isolates East Jerusalem.
Miliband said he raised the issue directly with the Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, and demanded that Israel immediately halt the plans, withdraw the tender and halt the expansion of illegal settlements.
"In addition, the Israeli chargé d'affaires has been summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where we expressed Britain's strong opposition to this action by the Netanyahu government and demanded its immediate reversal," he stressed.
Miliband warned that the expansion of illegal settlements and violence by Israeli settlers are worsening conditions for Palestinians and creating divisions that could become difficult to undo.
"The impact of settler violence and terrorism has been catastrophic for Palestinian communities. Settlement expansion and efforts to create irreversible divisions on the ground threaten peace, security and the prospects for a viable Palestinian state," he said, stressing that Britain will not stand by and accept the destruction of the two-state solution.
