Middle East Minister issues warning over Israeli ‘settlement expansion’

Middle East Minister Amanda Milling has used her first ever first to Israel and the Palestinian territories to condemn “settlement expansion” which she said “seriously hinder a two state solution and prospects of peace.”

The Conservative minister tweeted that during two days spent in the Occupied Palestinian Territories with the British Consulate in Jerusalem she had been briefed on the nature of the “E1 settlement plan” within the municipal boundary of Ma’ale Adumim in the West Bank.

Former Tory Party chairperson Milling tweeted:”Heard how the E1 settlement plan would seriously hinder a two state solution and prospects of peace. UK urges Israeli Government to end settlement expansion.”

She added she was “looking forward” on Thursday to meeting Palestinian leadership to discuss “our important bilateral relationship & engaging with business leaders, civil society, & human rights defenders across the West Bank.”

Milling had arrived in Israel on Wednesday. In a video message posted on social media she said the “UK Israel relationship has never been stronger.”

The minister said the UK was Israel’s largest trading partner, worth around £5 billion.

She also said “our medical professionals are at the forefront of collaboration on the Covid 19 response.”

Milling said she had held discussions in Israel with ministers on areas of “mutual concern” including “settlement expansion.”

She visited the Peres Centre in Jaffa to witness examples of peace efforts.