When Ehud Olmert, Israel's previous prime minister, embarked on direct negotiations with the Palestinians, settlement construction was concentrated within or close to the likely borders of Jewish territory, on the assumption that other land would be evacuated.
MPs, who voted by a majority of more than 300 to approve the bill, were told by Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson that the Good Friday Agreement was the nearest thing to a "perfect settlement", but that reimposing direct rule from London might be the only way to save it.