West Bank settlement 'could imperil Palestinian state'

ISRAEL'S far-right finance minister has announced approval of contentious new settlement construction in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

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Palestinians and rights groups worry the move will scuttle plans for a future Palestinian state by effectively cutting the West Bank into two separate parts.

The announcement comes as many countries, including Australia France, and Canada said they would recognise a Palestinian state in September.

“This reality finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state, because there is nothing to recognise and no-one to recognise,” said finance minister Bezalel Smotrich during a ceremony yesterday.

“Anyone in the world who tries today to recognise a Palestinian state will receive an answer from us on the ground”