UN condemns Israeli decision to build 800 new settlement units

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday condemned Israeli plans to build more than 800 new settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem and West Bank, the Anadolu Agency reported.

In a statement published on the UN’s website, Ban Ki-moon condemned the announcement that Israel has approved construction of some 300 housing units in the West Bank settlement of Beit El, as well as the planning and construction of nearly 500 housing units in a number of settlements in East Jerusalem.

The statement by Ban’s spokesman in New York also added: “He reiterates that settlements are illegal under international law, an impediment to peace, and cannot be reconciled with the Government of Israel’s stated intention to pursue a two-state solution.”

Ban urged the Israeli government to “halt and reverse settlement decisions in the interest of peace and a just final status agreement.”

In the same statement, the spokesman said: “The secretary-general remains concerned about the imminent threat of demolitions in the Palestinian village of Susiya in Area C of the West Bank ahead of a 3 August court hearing on a directly related planning petition.”

He stressed that destruction of private property in occupied territory is prohibited under international humanitarian law, and there must be accountability for such actions.