Ban voices deep concern at plans for new Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced deep concern today at the announcement by Israel that it will invite new tenders for the construction of Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem.

“The Government of Israel’s continued construction in settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory is contrary to international law and to its commitments under the Road Map [the international plan for Middle East peace] and the Annapolis process, as stressed by the Quartet when it met in London on 2 May,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

The Middle East Quartet, the diplomatic grouping comprising the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the United States, issued a statement after the London meeting expressing strong support for ongoing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations aimed at reaching a peace deal by the end of the year.

That statement also voiced deep concern at Israel’s continued settlement activity and called on the country to freeze all such activity, including natural growth, and to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001.