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UN chief - Israeli settlement plans violate international law
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday denounced Israel's plans to build new Jewish settler homes in the occupied territories as "contrary to international law."
Ban "noted with deep concern" an Israeli decision on Monday to approve further construction in settlements in the occupied territory, a statement issued by his office said.
"Such actions and all settlement activity are contrary to international law and the roadmap," it said, referring to the international plan for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"The secretary-general urges Israel to respond positively to the important efforts under way to create the conditions for effective Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and reiterates his call on Israel to stop all settlement activity, including natural growth, and dismantle all outposts erected since March 2001 in the occupied Palestinian territory," the statement continued.
Earlier on Wednesday, EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said Israel's continued settlement activity in the West Bank is the main obstacle to a resumption of the Mideast peace process.