UN censures Israel on settlement construction

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon blasted an Israeli announcement to advance settlement construction in the West Bank and East al-Quds. On Wednesday, Ban condemned as "contrary to international law" the move announced by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in conjunction with Israel's release early Wednesday morning of 26 long-serving Palestinian prisoners, Al-Alam reported. The UN secretary general added that further Israeli building in areas over the Green Line constituted "an obstacle to peace". He added that the UN expected parties to promote conditions conducive to a successful negotiation process and refrain from actions that undermine trust. The Israeli regime is planning to construct 1,500 more illegal settlement units in al-Quds, further defying international law against the move. More than half a million Israelis live in over 120 settlements built since Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East al-Quds in 1967.