Posted April 01, 2017 07:40:37

Photo: Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says the decision will "undermine the prospects of two states for two peoples". (Reuters: Alessandro Bianchi, file)

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Map: Israel

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has condemned Israel's decision to build a new Jewish settlement "deep" in the occupied West Bank.

It would be the first new settlement in the occupied West Bank in more than two decades.

In a statement, Mr Johnson said decision was "contrary to international law" and would seriously "undermine the prospects of two states for two peoples".

France, Germany and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have also condemned the move.

The White House was reportedly informed of the decision ahead of the announcement and has raised no objections.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has not responded to the ABC's request for comment on the decision.

Topics: unrest-conflict-and-war, world-politics, government-and-politics, law-crime-and-justice, israel, united-kingdom