UK urges Israel to reverse move to expand control over West Bank

Britain on Monday urged Israel to reverse its decision to expand control over the West Bank, joining Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in criticising the move.

“The UK strongly condemns the Israeli Security Cabinet’s decision to expand Israeli control over the West Bank,” the British government said in a statement. Critics argue the move, which eases settlement expansion and broadens Israeli authority in the territory, amounts to a step toward annexation of occupied land.

“Any unilateral attempt to alter the geographic or demographic character of Palestine is wholly unacceptable and would be inconsistent with international law,” the statement said, calling on Israel to reverse the decision immediately.