The UK has accused Israel of breaking international law after it announced it would go ahead with a controversial settlement project.

David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, signed a statement on Thursday calling the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government “unacceptable and a violation of international law”.

Plans approved by Israel this week would effectively divide the occupied West Bank.

Palestinians and human rights groups have said that the move could destroy plans for a future Palestinian state as the Israel-Hamas war approaches its second anniversary.

Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory are illegal under international law and they have long been condemned under successive UK governments. 

Developing a settlement in E1, an open tract of land east of Jerusalem, has been under consideration for more than two decades.