Condemning Israel’s Decision to Build New Settlement in Occupied Palestinian Territory, Secretary-General Calls Action Illegal, Saying It Threatens Peace

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The Secretary-General took notice with disappointment and alarm of the decision by Israel to build a new settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The Secretary-General has consistently stressed that there is no plan B for Israelis and Palestinians to live together in peace and security.  He condemns all unilateral actions that, like the present one, threaten peace and undermine the two-State solution.

Settlement activities are illegal under international law and present an obstacle to peace.