Israel's government has approved the building of the first new settlement in 20 years in the West Bank - a move swiftly condemned as an obstacle to peace based on a two-state solution, Al Jazeera reports.
The unanimous vote in favor of construction of the new settlement in an area called Emek Shilo, which was announced in an Israeli government statement, drew instant criticism by Palestinian leaders.
"Today's announcement once again proves that Israel is more committed to appeasing its illegal settler population than to abiding by the requirements for stability and a just peace," said Hanan Ashrawi, an executive committee member of the Palestine Liberation Organization.