The Israel and Gaza recent hostilities may be ended, at least for now, but the region remains volatile. Last week Palestine's status in the UN was upgraded and |sraeli leader Benjamin Netanyahou showed his displeasure by announcing a range of building projects. The new builds would encroach on Palestinian land and effectively cut that country in two.

Whilst many countries in the West voiced concerns over Israel's new building plans no action has been taken, other than by the diplomatic route. That could be set to change.

The UK Foreign Secretary William Hague is considering withdrawing the British Ambassador from Israel. He is also looking at putting in place a temporary suspension of trade agreements with Israel. Today Hague and other Ministers will consider what will be the best way forward. Whilst he has not committed to any sanctions or the like yet an announcement is expected.

Germany and France have voiced concerns over the new settler homes which Israel plan to build but as yet have not made further announcements. The US is keeping quiet.

Yesterday the UN representative Ban ki-Moon said in a statement that the announcement of new settler homes being built on the controversial E1 district had ended any chance of peace talks resuming.

As Europe decides how to respond it is claimed that France will be crucial in coordinating any response. That country is loathe to consider the options which Mr Hague is doing.

OPINION
Just one question-What would be the West's response if the roles were reversed and it was Palestine following such a building project on disputed land?

Updates will follow................

More sanctions have been imposed on Iran today in an effort to curtail its nuclear program. Recently scientists working on Iran's nuclear power efforts have been killed in explosions. No organisation has admitted responsibility but it is widely believed that it was either Israel, the US or both countries that were responsible. Many in the West are adamant that Iran should not develop any form of nuclear energy. Iran maintain their quest is simply for nuclear power whilst the West is sure it is for nuclear bomb capabilities. As the situation stands today, January 22, 2012, it seems we are on a course which may lead to war.

The West as usual is all hypocrisy. Most if not all western nations have nuclear energy and nuclear weapons.There argument seems to be a fear that Iran would launch a weapon on Israel on its enemies. Israel it may be worth pointing out reciprocates these feelings against Iran. It is fair to say that there is no love lost between the two countries.

The latest round of sanctions are designed to hit Iran's trade in oil. Strange, isn't it, that this should all kick off now after the Arab Spring of 2011 brought about Middle Eastern change? It makes on wonder if Libyan leaders, for example, were correct when they insisted that the West was behind the revolution in Libya. With Middle Eastern oil supplies being rich in countries such as Libya it does all seem too far fetched to be a coincidence.

In the UK today Foreign Secretary William Hague said he hoped that Iran would "come to its senses". He went on to say, "Iran continues to defy UN security council resolutions and enriches uranium to 20 per cent at con, for which there is no plausible civilian explanation." So I think it is very important for us to agree these measures today to increase the peaceful, legitimate pressure on the Iranian government."
His words come as  Britain, America and France send  six warships led by a 100,000 ton aircraft carrier through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has reiterated that is hefty sanctions are imposed they will close the Strait to western oil tankers. Of course Britain, America and France are not the World. They may think that they are but only time will tell as far as support goes.In the last few minutes EU ministers has agreed to adopt the Iran oil embargo.  This will mean an immediate ban on all new oil contracts with Iran, but existing contracts will be honoured until 1 July. You may read that as you like. I take it to read that a - they are hoping Iran will give in or b - they do not want to lose any oil or money themselves. I wonder what they will do if Iran reciprocates by saying it will ban all including existing contracts?

In spite of other oil supplies though an embargo on Iranian oil will hit the West as far as pricing goes. Anything which appears to threaten oil supplies in any way is bound to push the price of oil up. No wonder the West has been vying to get their hands on Libyan oil.

At the heart of the problem is Israel. The fact that Israel apparently fears Iran will instantly launch an attack on them if they manage to nuclear weapons. Now we are back to good old hypocrisy. As far as the World knows Israel has nuclear weapons  It too plays a secretive game though and this has never been confirmed. A tweet today read something like, "why not impose sanctions on France for helping Israel develop its nuclear weapons".

In the past France has carried out many underwater nuclear bomb tests, usually in the Pacific Ocean. How dare they. It is not known if Israel has carried out any such tests. 
Israel has refused to sign the NPT, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It shares this claim to fame with Pakistan, North Korea and India. According to Wikipedia, Israel  has 75 and 400 nuclear warheads with the ability to deliver them by intercontinental ballistic missile, aircraft, and submarine.Whilst some may choose to read this report as an attack on Israel it is far from it. It is an attack on hypocrisy. Once again we are trying to make countries follow an outdated adage our parents tried on us. That is " Do as I say not as I do". Sadly this will not wash any more. Iran could pose a real threat to World peace, especially if the West continues on its current path. Then again so could North Korea. Where are we drawing the line, and why?