UN chief Ban slams Israeli plans to advance east J'lem, West Bank construction....

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday blasted an Israeli announcement made earlier in the day to advance settlement construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Ban condemned as "contrary to international law" the move announced by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in conjunction with Israel's release early Wednesday morning of 26 long-serving Palestinian prisoners.

He added that further Israeli building in areas over the Green Line constituted "an obstacle to peace".

However, Ban stated his appreciation for Israel's undertaking the "difficult step" of releasing the second batch of pre-Oslo prisoners amid "deep domestic opposition" as a gesture for continuing peace talks with the Palestinian Authority.


He added that the UN expected parties to promote conditions conducive to a successful negotiation process and refrain from actions that undermine trust. 
 jpost.com
30/10/13
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****UN chief deplores plans for further Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory. -(Announcement hours after freeing 26 Palestinian prisoners) 

 30 October 2013 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has deplored the announcements today of further Israeli settlement plans in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, pointing out that settlement activity is contrary to international law and constitutes an obstacle to peace.
“Any measures that prejudge final status issues will not be recognised by the international community,” a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson added. Israel reportedly made the announcement hours after freeing 26 Palestinian prisoners.

Mr. Ban understands that Israel took “a difficult step” in continuing to release Palestinian prisoners in the face of deep domestic opposition, and appreciates this gesture, said the statement. “The Secretary-General expects the parties to take every possible step to promote conditions conducive to the success of the negotiating process and to refrain from actions that undermine trust,” it added.
Direct negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians stalled in September 2010, after Israel refused to extend its freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory. The two sides resumed negotiations this August following efforts by United States Secretary of State John Kerry.  

un.org,   30/10/13

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