国际英语新闻:Britain slams Israeli decision to expand settlements in West Bank

LONDON, March 16 (Xinhua) -- Britain on Wednesday condemned the Israeli government's decision to further expand settlements in the West Bank, calling the move "an obstacle to peace".

"We condemn the Israeli government's decision to take over 585 acres of land in the West Bank as 'state land'. Such steps clearly damage the diminishing prospects for a two state solution," a British Foreign Office spokeswoman said in a statement.

Israel has appropriated a large tract of fertile land and declared it as "state land" in the West Bank, Israeli officials and local media said Tuesday.

The British government deemed the appropriation of the land as "illegal," urging Israel to reverse the situation.

"The UK and our international partners have consistently called for an end to settlement expansion, which is illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace," the spokeswoman noted.

"If the Israeli government is truly committed to a two-state solution then it will reverse its decision," she added.

Israel occupied the West Bank during the 1967 Mideast War and has been controlling it ever since, in a move condemned by the international community.

The Israeli policy of expanding the West Bank settlements is opposed by the international community and widely seen as a violation of international law.