British Consul General in Occupied Jerusalem Philip Hall has condemned Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, saying they're "illegal and an obstacle to restarting peace talks." In his remarks to Palestinian Satellite Channel today, Hall said the UK government always talked to Israeli officials frankly about the need to stop all settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories. Hall reiterated his country's concern over the exposure of Palestinian citizens in their occupied areas to ongoing violence by Israeli settlers. He also said that the last five years in the occupied territories was difficult and showed no prospect of the situation improving on the ground, especially after the previous US administration recognised Jerusalem as the capital of 'Israel'. He also stressed that Britain rejects these measures, adding that Britain support for UNRWA and the Palestinian health and education sectors are ongoing.