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Last update - 00:46 01/01/2009
UN chief Ban: Israel settlements in West Bank are illegal
By Reuters and The Associated Press
Tags: Ban Ki-moon, EU, Settlements 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed "deep concern" on Wednesday about Israel's decision to approve new settler homes in the occupied West Bank and urged the Jewish state to end all such activity.

"Such actions and all settlement activity are contrary to international law and the roadmap," said a statement read out by UN spokesman Farhan Haq.

The 2003 Middle East roadmap drawn up by international mediators calls on Israel to halt settlement expansion in the West Bank and for the Palestinians to rein in militants.
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Ban reiterated UN appeals to Israel to "stop all settlement activity, including natural growth" and respond positively to efforts to create conditions for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Israel approved on Monday the building of 455 settler homes, a move opposed by its ally Washington and by Palestinians but which may pave the way for a construction moratorium sought by the United States.

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner also criticized Israel's continued settlement building on Wednesday, saying it represented the main obstacle to a resumption of the Mideast peace process.

"We have to be realistic and see that this settlement issue is at the moment an issue that blocks the negotiations," Ferrero-Waldner told reporters.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said American credibility in the region was at stake. The Palestinians say they will not restart negotiations, which broke down shortly before Netanyahu took office in March, until Israel halts all settlement construction.

"People are asking the Americans now: If you could not convince the Israelis to stop settlement activity, will anybody in the Arab and Islamic world believe you can make Israel return to the '67 borders or withdraw from settlements?" he said.

Related articles:
  • Israel authorizes building in another East Jerusalem neighborhood
  • PM to ministers: W. Bank building to slow, once 500 homes completed
  • Comment / West Bank settlements are good for peace
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      1.   Israel settlements in The Biblical Heartlands are legal 22:49  |  Joseph .E 09/09/09
      2.   Short of UN, EU, and US 23:03  |  Ram 09/09/09
      3.   So sad that they do not say the same regarding the rockets 00:48  |  Binyamin Dissen 10/09/09
      4.   I don`t undersatnd 02:03  |  WHG 10/09/09
      5.   Would the honorable Mr. Ki-Moon ... 02:14  |  Jasper 10/09/09
      6.   No one will "make" Israel return to borders. Offer peace! 02:23  |  McQueen 10/09/09
      7.   Obama`s credibility is indeed on the line 03:20  |  Mark B. 10/09/09
      8.   #1 Glad to help out, WHG.... 03:58  |  Johnboy 10/09/09
      9.   #2 You can`t be serious, McQueen? 04:10  |  Johnboy 10/09/09
      10.   no offer 04:10  |  Hirz 10/09/09
      11.   #2 McQueen - WHAT!? 04:25  |  PADDY 10/09/09
      12.   The UN? 04:32  |  Art 10/09/09
      13.   "Peace" before June 1967 05:12  |  Steve of Mevaserret 10/09/09
      14.   American Credibility Always at Stake 05:35  |  Mark of Lewiston 10/09/09
      15.   A question for Mr. Ban 06:54  |  judith 10/09/09
      16.   Israel`s villages and towns in Judea and Samaria are NOT illegal 07:08  |  Eitan 10/09/09
      17.   UN`s Ban 07:29  |  gadot 10/09/09
      18.   land grabbing jeoprodizes peace 07:44  |  bar kochma 10/09/09
      19.   Israel was told in June 1967 08:06  |  Marilyn 10/09/09
      20.   #18 bar kochma 18:25  |  *BEN JABO 10/09/09
      21.   Marilyn - Arabs were warned not to attack in June 67 02:11  |  *BEN JABO 11/09/09
      22.   #21 Such nonsense, BEN JABO 04:15  |  Johnboy 11/09/09
      23.   #22 Johnboy - You`re right, it`s nonsense 00:37  |  *BEN JABO 12/09/09
      24.   #23 BEN JABO does not know the difference.. 05:11  |  Johnboy 12/09/09
      25.   Johnboy re:`67 War & your fantasy version of events 18:23  |  *BEN JABO 12/09/09
      26.   JOhnboy - At the very least you can say "Thanks" 07:07  |  *BEN JABO 14/09/09
      27.   #25-#26 BEN`s understanding of when a war starts 07:10  |  Johnboy 15/09/09
      28.   Johnboy - You sure talk a lot 02:55  |  *BEN JABO 16/09/09
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