Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt said that construction is obstructive to efforts to bring a lasting peace to the Middle East conflict and threatens the future of a two-state solution.

Speaking after the Israeli Ministry of Defence decided to legalise the construction of 119 building units in West Bank settlement of Shilo the Foreign Office Minister said:

"The UK condemns efforts by the Israeli Authorities to retrospectively legalise construction in the West Bank settlement of Shilo, 27 km east of the Green Line. Settlements construction is illegal under international law, obstructive to efforts to bring a lasting peace to the Middle East conflict and threatens the future of a two-state solution. Retrospective legislation sets a dangerous precedent and sits uneasily with the rule of law."

Source: FCO