The Israeli security cabinet considered annexing parts of the occupied West Bank in response to the swearing in of members of the Palestinian unity government, Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post reported today.

The proposal was presented by the Israeli Economy Minister Naftali Bennett. The newspaper reported an official source saying the first of the areas would be the settlement of Gush Etzion, south of Jerusalem.

According to a statement following the meeting held yesterday, the security cabinet issued five decisions, including the creation of a team to study future options.

Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, the newspaper reported, had pledged to block any efforts aimed at annexing occupied territories to Israel.