SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON ISRAEL TO CEASE WEST BANK SETTLEMENT EXPANSION

Secretary-General calls on Israel to cease west bank settlement expansion

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General expresses strong concern over reports of Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank, through the Government of Israel’s recent publication of tenders for construction of new housing units.  Such activities clearly contradict Israel’s obligations under the Road Map which unequivocally stipulate that “consistent with the Mitchell Report, GOI freezes all settlement activity, (including natural growth of settlements)”.  The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Israel to cease this settlement expansion and to fulfil its Road Map obligations.

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