UN: New e. Jerusalem construction plans 'unacceptable'
Israel's plan to build 2,600 housing units in Givat HaMatos detrimental to Quartet's efforts to restart peace talks, UN chief says
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon criticized Israel on Friday over reports that it plans to build 2,600 more housing units in east Jerusalem, saying further construction activity there was "unacceptable."
"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned at continued efforts to advance planning for new Israeli settlements in occupied east Jerusalem," Ban's press office said in a statement.
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"Recent developments in this regard have been unacceptable, particularly as efforts are ongoing to resume (Israeli-Palestinian) negotiations, and run contrary to the Quartet's call on the parties to refrain from provocations," it said.
Reports that surfaced earlier this week said that Israel is planning to build the housing units in the new east Jerusalem neighborhood of Givat HaMatos, beyond the Green Line, angering Palestinians who want a halt to all such projects before they return to peace talks.
'Construction must cease'
The Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators – the United States, Russia, the European Union and United Nations – has urged Israel and the Palestinians to avoid provocative actions and urged them to resume stalled peace negotiations.
"The Secretary-General reiterates that settlement activity in east Jerusalem and the remainder of the West Bank is contrary to international law," the UN statement said, adding such activity "must cease."
The reports about a new housing plan come as the Palestinians attempt to secure UN recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with east Jerusalem as its capital, along with full membership in the United Nations.
The Palestinian UN bid has infuriated Israel, which says it is an attempt to delegitimize it. Israel's ally the United States has said it was prepared to veto the Palestinian UN application, which is currently being assessed by a UN Security Council committee.
If the Palestinian application to join the United Nations comes to a vote in the full Security Council, the United States has the power to veto it due to its status as a permanent member of the 15-nation panel.
The Security Council committee is expected to report back to the full council next week about progress it has made assessing the Palestinian UN application.
Diplomats on the committee, which includes all council members, say privately that little progress has been made in assessing the Palestinian request to join the world body.
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