00:00Israel is moving ahead with plans to issue tenders for more than 1,200 settlement homes
00:05in a key area of the occupied West Bank, drawing sharp international criticism.
00:10European nations including the UK, France, Germany, Italy as well as Canada
00:15called the move unacceptable and urged Israel to withdraw the plans immediately.
00:22The tenders cover 1,234 of more than 3,400 housing units approved by Israel last year
00:30under the E-1 settlement plan.
00:32The development would further separate occupied East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank.
00:38Critics have warned it could effectively cut the territory in two
00:41and deal a major blow to hopes for a two-state solution.
00:45UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the plan poses an existential threat
00:50to a contiguous Palestinian state.
00:52While Prime Minister Dato' Sri Anwar Ibrahim condemned the move,
00:56warning that Putrajaya will take note of international companies involved in the tenders
01:00and act accordingly.
01:02Israel has built around 160 settlement housing,
01:06some 700,000 Israelis across the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
01:10The settlements are largely considered illegal under international law.
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