Speaking after the announcement, Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood said:

The UK condemns the Israeli government’s announcement this week to advance plans for 1060 new housing units in East Jerusalem. This is an ill-judged and ill-timed decision which makes it harder to achieve a two state solution with Jerusalem as a shared capital. Such announcements make it more difficult for Israel’s friends to defend it against accusations that it is not serious about peace.

Further information

Follow Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood on twitter @TobiasEllwoodMP

Follow the Foreign Office on twitter @foreignoffice

Follow the Foreign Office on facebook and Google+