UN chief 'alarmed' by Israel's decision to claim West Bank
Updated: 2014-09-02 09:11
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
UNITED NATIONS - United Nations Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon expressed alarm Monday at Israel's declaration of some 400 hectares in the West bank as "state land."
"The secretary-general is alarmed by yesterday's announcement by Israeli authorities to declare as so-called 'state land' nearly 1,000 acres of land in the Bethlehem area of the West Bank," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesperson.
"The seizure of such a large swathe of land risks paving the way for further settlement activity, which -- as the United Nations has reiterated on many occasions -- is illegal under international law and runs totally counter to the pursuit of a two- state solution," the statement said.
The UN chief also called on Israel to "heed the calls of the international community to refrain from settlement activity and abide by its commitments under international law and the Quartet Road Map."
Israeli authorities announced Sunday that a land of 4,000 dunam (4 square km) used as a settlement in the West Bank would be turned into state land and that the government would acknowledge it as a new Israeli community.
There is no ownership claimed by Palestinians over these specific lands, Israeli authorities said, adding that there will be a period of 45 days, in which objections against the decision could be filed.
There is currently a settlement in the area of Gva'ot, near Gush Ezion in the West Bank, which is built without proper permits. While, with the announcement, the settlement will be turned into part of Israeli lands.
The decision was made following the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens at the same area in June when Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said a new settlement will be established in the area.
West Bank settlements are considered illegal by the international community and prevent a territorial continuity to the Palestinian territories in the West Bank.
Israel occupied the West Bank during the 1967 Mideast War and annexed east Jerusalem where are slated to be part of a future Palestinian state.
In June, following the establishment of a Palestinian unity government, Israel announced in response the immediate marketing of 1,500 new housing units in the settlements.
- Israel announces West Bank land as state
- Israel, Hamas claim 'victory' in Gaza war
- Israel airstrikes destroy apartment building, business mall in Gaza
- Israel, Palestinians trade fire; 2 dead in Gaza
- Israel, Hamas extend cease-fire by 24 hours
- Israel destroys homes of suspects in kidnapping and murder case
- World's largest duty-free shop opens in China's Sanya
- Xiamen Air gets its first Dreamliner
- Running track built on school roof
- Expressions on the first day of new school
- Tomatina joy in Northeast China
- Peace Mission - 2014 military drill ends in China's Inner Mongolia
- First steps on a journey of discovery
- Garbage dump turns water into poison
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games |
Leading leaden lives |
Former security chief under probe |
China helps fight international war on drugs |
Crackdown on terrorist attacks |
My China Story: Meeting the master |
Today's Top News
Beijing spruces itself up for APEC summit
New Budget Law to change the game
Microsoft asked to explain monopoly accusations
China makes largest share of foreign students
Chinese American to run NYC public schools' fund
US launches fresh air strikes on IS rebels
NPC decision a landmark in HK democratic development
Chui Sai On elected Macao chief executive-designate
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |