UN chief stresses illegality of Israeli settlements and annexation of East Jerusalem

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has told Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr Riyad Al-Malki that the international organisation does not recognise Israel’s annexation of occupied East Jerusalem and regards settlement activity as illegal. Mr Ban also expressed his rejection of the continuation of “Israeli violations” against the Palestinian people, especially in East Jerusalem, such as house demolitions, forced evictions of Palestinians from their homes and restrictions on access to sacred sites for Muslims and Christians.

The Secretary General noted that he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for an immediate halt of all such violations and for Israel to abide by international humanitarian law.

Expressing his great concern about the latest tensions in occupied Jerusalem, Ban stressed that Jerusalem should be the capital of two states, Palestine and Israel, living alongside each other in peace and security.