Israeli's Netanyahu: World Has Double Standards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accusing the international community of double standards, saying it condemns Israeli settlements in the West Bank but not Palestinians' refusal to renew peace talks or militant group Hamas' call for the end of the Jewish state. Israel was widely condemned recently when it announced it would proceed with Jewish housing in a strategic area near Jerusalem after the U.N. accepted Palestine as a non-member observer state. Construction would be years away but the decision drew wide condemnation and Israeli diplomats were reprimanded. Palestinians say building there separates Jerusalem from the West Bank, hindering their statehood plans. Peace talks between the sides collapsed four years ago. Israel calls frequently for them to resume but Palestinians refuse to return to the table unless settlement building ends.