Despite the International Community considering the establishment of Israeli settlements in the Israeli-occupied areas illegal under International Law this has not prevented Israel from moving ahead with the construction of hundreds of Jewish settlement homes. The illegal nature of this behaviour was reenforced by British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband calling it “illegal”; Israel continues to dispute this.
The advanced plans for new homes had been undertaken due to refusing to acknowledge the current Palestinian Unity Government. Despite Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts many states and international bodies led by the United States lined up and recognised the new Palestinian government.
William Hague, the British Foreign Secretary had condemned the Israeli Decision in a statement “to expand a number of illegal settlements many of which are deep within the West Bank”. Israel has refused to work with a government backed by Hamas. Netanyahu, Israeli Prime minister has said he was “deeply troubled” by the decision yet Mr Kerry stated that the ministers were not affiliated with Hamas and will be closely watched.