UK's Clegg says Israeli settlements 'vandalism'
LONDON - The Associated Press
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (L) and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (R). AFP Photo
Britain's deputy prime minister says Israel is carrying out "deliberate vandalism" by continuing to build settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.Hosting a news conference in London Monday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Nick Clegg accused Israel of undermining attempts to broker a Middle East peace deal by failing to halt settlement building on land that the Palestinians want for a future state.
"It is an act of deliberate vandalism," Clegg told reporters, escalating the tone of Britain's condemnation of settlement activity.
Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague also meeting Abbas have previously criticized Israel over settlement building.
Cameron was also meeting with Britain's Jewish Leadership Council Monday.
