United Nations, March 25: 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
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