Earlier this week it emerged the Israeli government wants to build 1,285 houses in eastern Jerusalem and on the West Bank, both predominantly Palestinian areas.

Timmers said in a short statement settlement in occupied areas contravenes international law.

Two-state solution

‘It undermines the two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state would exist side-by-side in peace and security,’ Timmermans said.

He also said the Netherlands would continue to invest in a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, through which the interests and concerns of both Israel and Palestinians are taken into account.

The condemnation is a change of direction by the new government. The previous coalition took a stronger pro-Israel line due, in part, to alliance partner and anti-Islam campaigner Geert Wilders.

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