February 26, 2026 08:01 am (IST)
Follow us:
Ban concerned over Israeli settlement expansion in West Bank
New York, Jun 6 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday he is deeply concerned by reports that Israeli authorities have issued tenders for the construction of over 1,400 new housing units in settlements in the West Bank, including in occupied East Jerusalem.
“As the United Nations has reiterated on many occasions, the building of settlements on occupied territory is illegal under international law,” said a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson.
Ban has, on previous occasions, urged on both parties to exercise prudence and to avoid taking unilateral actions on the ground that would further diminish the chances of reaching a negotiated final peace agreement.
“The Secretary-General calls on Israel to heed the calls of the international community to freeze settlement activity and abide by its commitments under international law and the Road Map,” the spokesperson added, referring to the plan which calls for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and within secure borders.
Israelis and Palestinians have been engaged since last August in United States-brokered talks to reach a comprehensive peace agreement, resuming negotiations that had ended in September 2010 when Israel refused to extend its freeze on settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory.
[A settler woman walks past an Israeli soldier standing guard in East Jerusalem. Photo: IRIN/Andreas Hackl (file photo)]
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Iran ready for war or peace ahead of Geneva nuclear talks, says Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
Wed, Feb 25 2026
WHO: Attacks on Ukraine’s health care surged 20 percent in 2025
Wed, Feb 25 2026
After 16 years, London eatery closes as Indian-origin owner alleges repeated attacks by Pakistanis
Tue, Feb 24 2026
Viral Irish food bank image triggers racist remarks against Indians
Tue, Feb 24 2026
Netherlands’ first openly gay PM Rob Jetten takes oath. Meet his partner Nicolás Keenan
Tue, Feb 24 2026
Who was El Mencho? Mexico's most wanted drug lord, with USD 15 million bounty, killed
Mon, Feb 23 2026
UK: Taxi driver jailed for nine years for raping sleeping passenger
Sun, Feb 22 2026