Israel’s cancellation of entry permits for Palestinians after a deadly attack in Tel Aviv may amount to collective punishment, which is banned under international law, the UN’s top human rights official said.

It is somewhat bizarre that, less than a decade after one of the biggest housebuilding binges ever experienced in a developed economy, we are now trying to grapple with the issue of housing shortage in some areas.

An increase in the number of planning permits has given some hope that the lack of supply in the new housing will ease in time.