Netanyahu hits out at 'double standards'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused the international community of double standards.
He said the international community has condemned Israeli settlements in the West Bank but not the Palestinians’ refusal to renew peace talks or militant group Hamas’ call for the end of the Jewish state.
Israel was widely condemned recently when it announced it would proceed with housing in a strategic area near Jerusalem after the UN accepted Palestine as a non-member observer state.
Construction would be years away but the decision drew wide condemnation and Israeli diplomats were reprimanded.
Palestinians say building there separates Jerusalem from the West Bank, hindering their statehood plans.
Peace talks between the sides collapsed four years ago. Israel calls frequently for them to resume but Palestinians refuse to return to the table unless settlement building ends.
