Clegg accuses Israel of ‘deliberate vandalism’ over settlements

BRITAIN’S deputy prime minister accused Israel yesterday of carrying out “deliberate vandalism” by continuing to build settlements on land Palestinians hope will form part of a future state.

In an escalation of Britain’s previous condemnations of Israeli construction, Nick Clegg said continued settlement building was jeopardising prospects for a peace deal.

“Once you’ve placed physical facts on the ground, that makes it impossible to deliver something that everyone has for years agreed is the ultimate destination. ... It is an act of deliberate vandalism to the basic premise on which negotiations have taken place for years and years and years,” said Clegg, referring to settlement construction.