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UN calls on Israel to stop illegal new settlements


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UN calls on Israel to stop illegal new settlements

2011-04-06 01:54:47 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations on Tuesday called on Israel to halt further planning for new settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory after the approval of a new settlement in East Jerusalem.

Robert Serry, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO), said that such activity in occupied territory was illegal. On Monday, Israel approved a plan for building 942 homes in southern Jerusalem, on the Palestinian-occupied side

Such activity is also contrary to the Road Map peace plan espoused by the diplomatic Quartet which seeks to establish a two-State solution of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security within recognized borders," added Serry.

On Monday, the Jerusalem Local Building and Planning Committee gave initial approval for a new settlement in East Jerusalem's Gilo neighborhood, located across the 1967 Green Line.

The decision came one day before the visit of Israeli President Shimon Peres to the United States. A similar scenario took place in March 2010 when Israel approved 1,600 housing units in Ramat Shlomo.

The Israeli Interior Ministry's action came during a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and strained the relations between the two nations. On Tuesday, the Jerusalem Municipality denied any relation between the approval and the President's visit.

Serry called on the Israeli government to halt such activity as it undermined efforts to resume the Israel-Palestine negotiations. Palestine demanded a stop to settlement construction in the disputed East Jerusalem and West Bank area as a key element for continuing peace talks.

According to reports, the plan will encompass 88,000 square meters, and includes zoning for up to 300 additional units in the future. The project still needs the approval of the Interior Ministry. No date for construction has been set.

On February 18, the UN Security Council held a vote on a resolution to condemn Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem area. Fourteen council members voted in favor of the resolution but the U.S. voted against it and thus vetoed the resolution due to being one of the five permanent council members.

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-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-04-06

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