Norway slams expansion of settlements

Norway Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende says Norway joins in the unanimous international criticism of the decision by the Israeli Government authorising the construction of up to 800 new housing units in the occupied al-Quds ('Jerusalem') and the West Bank.

Brende said the order casts doubt once again on the Netanyahu Government’s commitment to the 'peace' process.

On Wednesday 29 July, Netanyahu’s Government announced that it will allow the construction of 300 new housing units in the settlement Beit El in the West Bank and up to 500 more units in al-Quds, in both cases on occupied Palestinian territory.