Brown demands Israel cease settlement expansion programme

BRITISH prime minister Gordon Brown demanded that Israel cease settlement construction and promised more money to jump-start the battered Palestinian economy.

In his first trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories as Britain’s leader, Brown stressed that economics are key to Middle East peace, and said Israel should ease travel restrictions in the West Bank that have hindered commerce.

But his strongest comments were reserved for the settlements: “I think the whole European Union is very clear on this matter: We want to see a freeze on settlements.