Rejecting criticism from the US and Europe, on the Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu's announcement of settlement expansion, Israel reiterated its intention to build more.
An official within Netanyahu's office said:
"Israel will continue to stand by its vital interests, even in the face of international pressure, and there will be no change in the decision that was made."
The decision to expand came in response to the Palestinians successful bid for UN non-state observer status.
Israel's Finance Minister, Yuval Steinitz said,
"I want to tell you that those same Europeans and Americans who are now telling us 'naughty, naughty' over our response, understand full-well that we have to respond, and they themselves warned the Palestinian Authority."
