Israel has yet again announced further plans to continue construction of settlements in the occupied territories, declaring its intentions to build 900 new homes in or near East Jerusalem.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas protested the announcement and continued illegal settlement activity, saying, "If Israel does not halt these activities, it will be difficult to reach the political settlement."
The office of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon issued a statement noting the illegality of the settlements and poor faith of the Israeli government to uphold its obligations under law and under efforts to establish a peace agreement:
"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned at the recent announcement by the Israeli Government to invite new tenders for construction in Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem. The Government of Israel's continued construction in settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory is contrary to international law and to its commitments under the Road Map and the Annapolis process, as stressed by the Quartet when it met in London on 2 May."
