United Nations: UN chief Ban Ki-moon has
slammed Israel for approving construction of 20 new apartments
in occupied East Jerusalem, pressing that the building of
"illegal" settlements "must stop".
Israeli authorities have approved a project to build
luxury apartments at the site of the former Hotel Shepherd in
occupied East Jerusalem`s Sheikh Jarrah quarter.
The announcement came as Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu`s is set to commence talks with President Barack
Obama in Washington.
In the previous weeks, the international community has
vigorously condemned Israel`s move to make 116 new housing
units in another neighborhood of East Jerusalem.
"I am aware of the latest news concerning yet another 20
dwellings to be constructed in East Jerusalem, this time in
the heart of an Arab neighbourhood," Ban told reporters here.
"I say again, here, what I have been repeatedly saying:
that settlements are illegal under international law. This
must stop," he added,
The UN chief stressed that the international community is
clear and unanimous that Jerusalem is an issue that should be
"negotiated and discussed" as a result of a final negotiation.
Following his visit to occupied territories and the Gaza
strip, Ban underlined four main directives that needed to be
pursued by the Israeli and Palestinian authorities, stressing
it was imperative to remain engaged in the US backed proximity
talks or indirect talks.
"First, there is no alternative to negotiations for a
two-state solution. As the Quartet (United Nations, Russia,
European Union and United States) stressed, proximity talks
should move ahead, evolving into direct negotiations between
the parties as soon as possible," Ban said, referring to his
meeting with the Quartet in Moscow on March 19.
"The goal should be to resolve all final status issues
within 24 months," he added.
Secondly, Ban urged that negotiations should be disrupted
by provocations. "No doubt there will be tests. However, you
should know that extremists must know that the parties are
determined to stay at the table," he said.
Thirdly Ban called for more "positive facts" than
"negative facts" on the ground, which included -- a settlement
freeze, a lifting of the blockade of Gaza, an end to rocket
fire from Gaza, an easing of the constraints that stifle
Palestinian life and prisoner exchanges.
"The list is long, and time is very short. Israelis and
Palestinians should do much more to build trust and meet their
obligations under international law and the Roadmap," he said.
Ban also reiterated the role of the international
community in the negotiations.
"At this important juncture, the Quartet is determined to
push the parties and monitor the situation," he said.
The head of the UN is heading to Sirte, Libya to attend
of the League of Arab States Summit meeting to discuss the
proximity talks between Israeli and Palestinian authorities.
Acknowledging the "frustration" of Arab states over
Israeli persisting settlements, Ban said, "I know that the
Arab countries are frustrated and they express their concern
and even reluctance in supporting this proximity talk".
"I have been engaging in bilateral talks with many Arab
leaders and I have been advising and appealing to them to
support the dialogue process".
PTI
