Secretary-General Deplores Israel’s Settlement Expansion Decision

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

The Secretary-General deplores the Government of Israel’s decision today to expand Gilo settlement, built on Palestinian territory occupied by Israel in the 1967 war.

The Secretary-General reiterates his position that settlements are illegal, and calls on Israel to respect its commitments under the Road Map to cease all settlement activity, including natural growth.  He believes that such actions undermine efforts for peace and cast doubt on the viability of the two-State solution.

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For information media • not an official record