UN envoy slams Israel for razing West Bank homes

A United Nations envoy criticized Israel on Saturday for demolishing Palestinian homes in the West Bank, calling the practice a violation of a six-month-old moratorium and a setback to peacemaking efforts.

Robert Serry, UN Middle East envoy, said in a statement that Israel undertook in April to suspend demolitions but recently resumed them. An Israeli official denied there had been any moratorium. (Reuters)