UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has warned that the chance of a two-state solution in the Middle East peace process is "slipping away". He said he would tell the US government that the issue should be the "highest priority" for foreign policy when he visits Washington next week. Mr Hague is due to hold talks with Senator John Kerry, who is expected to become the next US Secretary of State. His comments follow increased Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank. This has occurred since the United Nations voted last year in favour of Palestinian statehood. Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said no Jewish settlements in the West Bank will be removed during his next term in office if he wins elections on Tuesday. About 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since Israel occupied the area in 1967. The international community considers the settlements illegal, though Israel disputes this.
