SECRETARY-GENERAL CALLS ON ISRAEL’S GOVERNMENT TO HALT SETTLEMENT EXPANSION

AFTER RESUMED CONSTRUCTION APPROVED FOR WEST BANK HOUSING UNITS

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General expresses his concern over the Government of Israel’s approval of a resumption of construction of 750 housing units in the West Bank settlement of Givat Zeev.  Any settlement expansion is contrary to Israel’s obligations under the Road Map and to international law.  The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Israel to halt settlement expansion and reiterates that the fulfilment of Road Map obligations by both parties is an important measure underpinning the political process between them.

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For information media • not an official record