Britain's Cook urges Israel to accept US redeployment proposal

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook on Thursday urged anew the Israeli Government to accept the U.S. proposal to give a further 13 percent of the West Bank to the Palestinian government, stressing that this would serve Israelis and peace in general.

Cook, speaking in an annual dinner organized by the medical relief society for the Palestinians, said all Israeli settlements in the Palestinian occupied territories are illegal and constructing more of them would jeopardize the peace process and the land-for-peace principle, Map reported.

The society is a charitable organization, registered in Britain, that contributes in collecting money to extend medical services to Palestinians in the occupied territories.

Cook said Britain shared the concern of the international community over Israel's recent decision to expand the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem, adding this decision would not help push forward the peace process.