UN chief condemns Israeli settlement activity
UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Israeli plans to build a new settlement and establish an industrial zone in the West Bank.
Spokesman Farhan Haq said Tuesday that Ban was particularly concerned that "the establishment of a new settlement near Shiloh will make the prospect of a viable, contiguous Palestinian state more remote."
Settlement monitoring group Peace Now said Saturday that the Israeli government approved plans to build 98 housing units as well as the creation of a new industrial zone west of Ramallah.
"The Secretary-General urges Israel to halt and reverse such counterproductive decisions in the interests of peace and a just final status agreement," Haq said.
