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UN chief slams Israeli settlement plans
UN chief Ban Ki-moon "condemns" Israel's plan to build new settlement homes in east Jerusalem, and deems all settlements "illegal," his office said.
"The secretary-general condemns the approval of plans for the building of 1600 new housing units in East Jerusalem by the Israeli Ministry of Interior," a UN statement read.
Mr Ban "reiterates that settlements are illegal under international law... settlement activity is contrary to Israel's obligations under the roadmap, and undermines any movement towards a viable peace process," he added, referring to the internationally sponsored Middle East roadmap to peace.
Israel's interior ministry said earlier it approved construction of 1600 new housing units in Ramat Shlomo, a Jewish settlement in the mainly Arab eastern sector of Jerusalem.
The controversial move has infuriated Palestinians, who consider settlements to be a major hurdle in long-hobbled attempts to reach a peace accord, and who want occupied east Jerusalem as the capital of their promised state.